Regional district directors agreed Tuesday to include three options on a question to be asked at the Nov. 15 municipal election regarding local government-funded methods to help reduce homelessness in the Comox Valley.
The question is as follows: How much annual property tax would you be willing to pay to reduce homelessness?
• $0
• up to $5 per year (for a home assessed at $300,000)
• up to $10 per year (for a home assessed at $300,000)
The vote — which is non-binding — does not provide authority to tax homeowners. The purpose is to gauge the level of public support should that be considered.
Property taxes could help fund existing programs for homeless individuals and/or create a new method of assistance or prevention.
Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland councils have until Oct. 15 to confirm their intent to pose the question.
The vote will only be conducted if at least two municipalities agree to participate.
CVRD hears resolution plea
Dave Mills appealed to the regional district committee of the whole Tuesday to consider a resolution to oppose pipeline proposals that would increase oil tanker traffic in B.C. waterways.
Mills spoke on behalf of constituents who have signed the Let BC Vote pledge to oppose pipeline and oil tanker expansion. He is a member of the Dogwood Initiative, a citizens’ advocacy group working in conjunction with Leadnow.ca.
Mills — noting the economic and environmental threat posed by two huge pipelines from Alberta to the B.C. coast — told the board it would be crazy not to support a resolution.
“In the good ‘ole days, this would be dead in the water,” he said, noting overwhelming opposition to pipelines at Enbridge hearings. “People are outraged this has gone this far.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com