I am always amazed by people who complain about taxes yet want all services free.
The Northern Ontario mayors met in North Bay with one goal: where to find more money. Do they not know that money does not grow on trees, and the only extra money would need to come from taxpayers no matter how they cut the pie? The federal and provincial governments are still taxpayer money.
There are two ways to get more money for services that the public wants.
First, cut government waste. Second, raise taxes — nobody would mind paying the required taxes for efficient government, proper hospital care, good roads, good health care, reduced education tuition, housing and much more.
It will never happen of course, because the rich people do not want to pay more taxes as they do not need free services as they can afford anything they want.
Some European countries have much higher taxes than us, but the extra taxes cover many services mentioned.
You want electricity at your door 24-7, clean drinking water, and so must pay for it. Who else would pay? Eventually, taxpayers will pay — either we do or our kids will need to pay.
Ask the people who, in other countries, do not even have drinking water, let alone electricity.
Come on people, we live in one of the most fortunate countries of the world. The services we receive are cheap, so stop complaining.
Paul Sauvé
Sudbury