The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released a freedom of information response today that notes a fundamental flaw with the City of Regina’s budget process: the city does not seem to take affordability into account when determining city-wide property tax increases.

Earlier in January the CTF filed a freedom of information request with the city as to what analysis it completed or data used to determine if ratepayers could afford the city’s last two property taxes increases. The city responded that no such records or material exist.

“When the City of Regina works on its budget, it should take into consideration what’s happening with taxpayers’ incomes,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “If taxpayers’ incomes are only going up by a couple per cent then the city shouldn’t be looking at seven per cent tax increases.”

Going forward the CTF encourages the City of Regina to build into its budget modeling what is happening with inflation and average weekly earnings.

To view the freedom of information response – click here