Categories: Chamber News
      Date: Mar 29, 2012
     Title: Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce Responds to City Budget

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased that once again the City has held the line on property taxes, with no increases for 2012. 

“This is positive news for the Charlottetown business community,” said incoming Chamber President Keith Lambe. “The budget presented by Councillor Villard today is balanced in spite of obvious fiscal challenges for the coming year.”

The Chamber congratulated the City of Charlottetown for looking beyond 2012.  “In our pre-budget consultation, the Chamber stressed the need for a longer term view in fiscal planning,” said Keith Lambe. “The two-year operational plans and five-year capital plans are a step in the right direction.”

In its pre-budget submissions to the City, the Chamber noted concerns over increasing external debt levels, suggesting current debt level trends are not sustainable.  The pre-budget submission also recommended greater focus on effectiveness and efficiency as well as a need for municipal accountability.   The Chamber of Commerce suggests that the City of Charlottetown could place more emphasis on results measurement and looks to City Council for improved reporting and greater clarity around the City’s fiscal management.

The Chamber is also pleased to see that the City of Charlottetown is committed to a three-year capital project that will separate the Spring Park storm and sewer systems resulting in the protection of the Charlottetown Harbour.

“The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to ongoing consultations with the City of Charlottetown, “noted Lambe. “In challenging economic times, cooperation and accountability are the keys to fiscal sustainability.”

-30-

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the “Voice of Business” on economic issues for its 980 members representing over 17,500 employees in small, medium and large enterprises in the capital region.  To view the Chamber’s pre-budget submission to the City of Charlottetown, visit www.charlottetownchamber.com.