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For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
CHAMBER REVEALS JUST HOW BUSINESS FRIENDLY CIVIC ELECTION CANDIDATES ARE
Chamber to Launch Civic Liaison Committee to Hold Future Councillors Accountable
Oct. 19, 2010 – The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is alarmed that over 40 per cent of candidates running in the civic election aren’t in favor of the elimination of the business tax through a threshold approach over the next five years.
“The Chamber has argued for years that the business tax is nothing more than a tax grab – as the business community receives nothing in return for paying this tax,” said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus. “The Chamber is encouraged that candidates showed strong support for some of our policies, but we are concerned that the elimination of the business tax didn’t receive greater support.”
The Chamber sent a 22-question survey to all candidates running for office asking them if they agreed with Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce policy in the areas of taxation, economic development, spending efficiencies and infrastructure and transportation. 75 per cent of the 55 candidates running for office completed the survey.
The Chamber is concerned with the candidate responses to the following questions:
· Believe that the Alternative Services Delivery Committee should be a full standing committee (54 per cent support)
· Support the City of Winnipeg contracting out civic services that could also be provided by the private sector (65 per cent support)
· Support the City of Winnipeg entering in to more public-private partnerships to address the infrastructure challenges facing the City (68 per cent support)
However, there was strong support with The Chamber on the following questions:
· Agree that a Commission on Civic Efficiencies is needed to determine the services that the City of Winnipeg provides (81 per cent support)
· Support the City of Winnipeg making economic and business development a much higher priority including increasing investment and expenditures on it (81 per cent support)
“Following the Oct. 27 election The Chamber will be launching a civic liaison committee that will involve partnering a Chamber member with elected councillors,” Angus said. “This will help to ensure an open line of dialogue between council members and The Chamber and enhanced accountability and transparency on issues important to The Chamber.”
Contact: Chuck Davidson,Vice-President Policy
Tel: 944-3316 Cell: 782-1679
E-mail cdavidson@winnipeg-chamber.com