LETTER: Dealing with the increased cost of living and taxes

BradfordToday and InnisfilToday welcome letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication).

Smith Falls, Ontario's council has proposed a 9.6-per-cent tax hike. Yup it has begun here in Canada and also in the United States. Cities and towns are not flush with money, revenue is down since many citizens simply do not pay some or all their taxes. Excuses of course make a lot of sense such as the increased cost in just about everything except hope for a better future. The cost of living falls upon the shoulders of many politicians who want to be reelected and create a good impression upon the electorate yet their controllers and budget commissions are telling them debt is too high. The cost of paying that debt, plans for expansion, and the need to assist their citizens cannot be set aside as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Cities and municipalities throughout the world are suffering similar situations where the public need is increasing alongside the cost of fulfillment of those needs. Our cities and towns are going to increase their taxes. They must. Last year's local taxes increased and this increase was simply not enough to fill the public coffers. Whether your in Kingston, Jamaica, Bridgetown, Barbados, Mexico City, Toronto or Kingston, Ont., the piper has to be paid and the only way to do so is increase our taxes, in some cases by a lot.

Every service offered by our local, regional and federal governments has increased costs that need to be passed onto the taxpayer. It makes sense, and we need to prepare for the oncoming increases. Got no money to pay these taxes? Rethink your expectations. There simply is nothing else you can do but control your spending and budget your income. 

The heyday of vacations in the sun, two to three cars per family unit, and 68-inch big screen televisions may be in the past, folks. Manage your holiday season spending and simply live within your means. Ask your grandpa and grandma how it's done. 

Steven Kaszab
Bradford