Again today I took a look at CBC to only find out we are going to be paying even more in 2009. I posted earlier about how Saint John is looking at a water rate Hike and to go with it our Municipal Property Tax will be going up 9% in Saint John.
Okay I thought we were in difficult Economic times and that many people throughout New Brunswick are cutting back on their Xmas spending because of this. Even with gas prices finally back to a reasonable level most people are trying to cut back on spending to pay bills and to get ready for the winter months.
Our Different levels of Government, think this is the perfect time to hit us here in Saint John with a 21% rate hike in our water next year, along with another 9% increase in our property tax, Lets not forget that they will come around say the value or our property has gone up 5% as usual for a final blow(unconfirmed speculation only),Also lets not forget there will most likely be an increase in power rates next year of 3%.
Tell me does our elected officials at every level not care that we have to cut back on xmas, don’t care we will scrimp by to pay our heating in the winter, the answer no we are in tough economic times but that means they will all keep their bonuses and high pay checks well taking more of our hard earned money. We know corporate Canada doesn’t have any concerns Bell recently announced in 2009 they will be charging their customers more money as they put up a new Satellite last year (don’t forget that new little fee that was added in 2008 to pay for that, which wasn’t enough I guess).
One good thing it looks like they won’t be pushing through the 2% tax on the HST since the big reform is to change it 10% tax rate for your end of year taxes (if you make less than 35,000 your already in that bracket) and up the hst by 2% so if you make 35,000 or less you actually get taxed more… This one has been delayed but won’t be surprised if this shows up in the news to happen in 2009.
My Final summary for 2009 in the news – New Brunswick in 2009 we will be in a recession and going through difficult financial times so you will have less to spend to take care of your selves and your families but your elected officials at all levels will be taking more of your money. The companies who have had record profits will be taking more of your money, and firing/laying off staff to keep their profits. However both Elected officials and Corporate Canada will tell you they are concerned for how you will take care of yourself and your families in 2009 but they aren’t going to do anything to help….
The story on the cbc website -
Municipal tax assessments set to soar in 2009 Property tax bases are jumping across most of New Brunswick but with an economic slowdown looming the Opposition Conservatives are calling for property tax relief. more »