Ensemble Montréal demanding tax cuts in 2023 municipal budget
Posted December 14, 2022 3:54 pm.
Last Updated December 14, 2022 4:21 pm.
Montreal’s 2023 budget – with its 4.1 per cent tax increase – is hitting Montrealers harder than ever, says the city’s official Opposition.
Ensemble Montréal is accusing the municipal government of having “chosen to wring what little is let from its taxpayers” during difficult economic times.
City councillors with the Opposition are planning to present four amendments to the 2023 budget to make it more “socially acceptable.”
Limit tax increases
The party is proposing to limit tax increases under city council’s jurisdiction to 2.9 per cent for residential and 1.9 per cent for non-residential accounts, which it estimates will add $35.5 million into Montrealers’ wallets.
“Since Projet Montréal came to power, spending has increased by 30 per cent. In the current situation, they could have restrained themselves, but it seems their intention is to just spend more and more,” said Aref Salem in a statement.
Deferral program for fixed incomes
The party is also calling on the Plante administration to maintain its promise to implement a deferral program for people on fixed incomes.
“We can call on owners not to pass on increases to tenants, but it’s unrealistic to think that landlords will all willingly pick up the entire cost, said Alan DeSousa, the Official Opposition critic for finance.
“With inflation and rising interest rates, everyone is having a hard time making ends meet. If we want to keep housing affordable in Montréal, the administration must tighten its belt and limit its spending to limit tax increases.”
Police recruit salaries
Ensemble Montréal is asking that $1 million be added to the 2023 budget to increase the salary of SPVM recruits.
“Life is more expensive in Montréal, while the salary of SPVM recruits is among the lowest. We’re already dealing with a glaring lack of manpower that costs us a lot of money in overtime, and we can’t afford to let new police officers slip through our fingers,” insisted Abdelhaq Sari, the Official Opposition critic for public security.
Diversity and Social Inclusion
Finally, Ensemble Montréal hopes an additional $3 million will be allocated to the Diversity and Social Inclusion budget to increase assistance to support organizations.
An amendment will also be proposed to dedicate the necessary funds to the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the pre-election report on public finances.
