October 27, 2014
Mayor Mike Savage
1841 Argyle Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3A5
Re: Special Tax Deal for Irving Shipbuilding
Dear Mayor Savage,
Our organization is writing you today because we believe the taxpayers of Halifax are owed more information surrounding a potential special tax deal for Irving Shipbuilding.
Your Director of Legal Services told both the Chronicle Herald and AllNovaScotia.com that the city would consider using new powers afforded to it by the Province of Nova Scotia to cut a tax deal with the Irvings. He also indicated that there has already been some “discussions” with the company.
Given the province of Nova Scotia has already agreed to dump $304 million into Irving Shipbuilding our group’s concern is any deal may be yet another taxpayer handout to this very large corporation.
That is why we believe taxpayers deserve to know:
- How long your city administration has been in “discussions” (as described by Mr. Traves) with Irving Shipbuilding regarding a special tax deal?
- When will council be involved in the negotiations of any tax deal with Irving Shipbuilding?
- Council already voted to potentially hike taxes by 1.8% next year. Why is your administration talking about lowering them for the Irvings but raising them for everyone else?
Sincerely,
Kevin Lacey
Canadian Taxpayers Federation
902.407.5757
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey