CFIB Welcomes, Applauds newest candidates to take the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge
Vancouver, October 12th, 2011 - The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses applauds four new civic election candidates in BC communities who have taken the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge.
In Chilliwack, Garth Glassel becomes the first candidate to take the Pledge. He is joined by Kevin Francis, the first candidate from Mission. They are joined by candidates Andy Wickey from Coquitlam, and Shane Kennedy, of Port Moody.
"We're thrilled to see strong support from more candidates standing up for voters by taking the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge," says Shachi Kurl, CFIB Director of Provincial Affairs.
Candidates who sign the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge are agreeing to:
1) Property Tax Fairness - by committing to reduce the gap between what commercial property and residential property owners pay in each year of their term.
2) Reasonable Spending - by committing to keep operating spending increases reasonable, i.e. at or below the level of population growth and inflation or the rate of growth in disposable income.
3) Openness and Accountability - by supporting in principle, the creation of a Municipal Auditor General for BC, to perform value-for-dollar audits.
These messages also appear to be resonating with the BC electorate.
Results of a recent opinion poll show 77 per cent of respondents want to see municipal spending in BC held in line with the rate of population and inflation growth; 53 per cent believe their taxes are too high and 86 per cent agree there should be some independent oversight of municipalities.
"The CFIB Taxpayer Pledge will help voters hold their candidates to account, and help candidates communicate what they stand for," says Kurl.
As the civic election campaign progresses - every sitting and non-sitting municipal candidate will be invited to take the pledge too.
For more information on who has signed the pledge - videos, and voting day information, go to our website, http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/advocacy/british_columbia.html, and follow the links.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is a non-profit, non-partisan business association that seeks to give independent business a greater voice in determining the laws that govern business and the country. With 108,000 members across Canada, including 10,000 in British, we are the largest organization exclusively representing the interests of small and medium-sized independent businesses to all levels of government.
Candidates who have already signed the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge include:
Suzanne Anton - Vancouver City Councillor
Darren Inkster - Sechelt Mayor
Chris Coleman - Victoria City Councillor
Diana Dilworth - Port Moody City Councillor
Linda Reimer - Coquitlam City Councillor
Mike Klassen - Vancouver City Council candidate
Andy Shen - Coquitlam City Council candidate
Terry O'Neill - Coquitlam City Council candidate
Jason Lamarche - Vancouver City Council candidate
Ken Charko - Vancouver City Council candidate
Garth Glassel - Chilliwack Council candidate - new
Kevin Francis - Mission Council candidate - new
Andy Wickey - Coquitlam Council candidate - new
Shane Kennedy - Port Moody candidate - new
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Shachi Kurl at 604 684-5325 or email shachi.kurl@cfib.ca
As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by EntrepreneursTM. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.
