by Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun October 24, 2011 From 1998 to 2010, the city of Vancouver enjoyed a net increase of 83,267 new residents and 50,973 new homes — but added just 46 new businesses. Indeed, Vancouver’s 50,666 business licence numbers in 1998 actually declined slowly and unsteadily until 2007 when they reached their nadir [...]
by Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun – January 7, 2011 The total assessed value of a business property — the land and building combined — in Vancouver is based on what the assessor thinks the space could be rented out for if the lease had been renewed last July 1, the date on which all assessed [...]
Vancouver Sun Published: Thursday, October 28, 2010 The City of Vancouver has invited citizens to give their opinions on how to deal with its anticipated $20-million budget shortfall in 2011. We welcome Mayor Gregor Robertson’s efforts to cut costs and his invitation to join him in finding solutions. At the risk of sounding jejune, may we [...]
David Cadman, Ellen Woodworth oppose city program by Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun October 19,2010 VANCOUVER – Vancouver city should scrap its policy of shifting taxes from the commercial sector to residential taxpayers as it looks for ways to make up a $20.6 million budget gap, two councillors said Tuesday. David Cadman and Ellen Woodsworth, both [...]
Announcement at UBCM meeting met with anger from small, medium sized communities by Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun September 28,2010 WHISTLER – The provincial government has shelved a proposal for tax relief for communities heavily dependent upon industries, saying the cost implications are significant. The decision, made public at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, was [...]
Canada Line corridor merchants can expect to get clobbered, again By Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun June 18, 2010 The proposed rezoning of Cambie Street properties served by the new Canada Line may cause economic hardship that erodes or outweighs any potential benefits. Because two likely results will be to undermine City Hall’s finances while once [...]
Read the latest news for business owners from the Vancouver Civic Election campaign trail: October 27th Issue (62KB PDF) November 4th Issue (3.59MB PDF) November 12th Issue (112KB PDF) Survey: Vancouver NPA and Vision Vancouver support 1% tax shift The Vancouver Fair Tax Coalition recently surveyed all city council candidates about their views on civic [...]
Business in Vancouver May 13-19, 2008 Issue 968 Ballot business 2008 This week’s question: What are your top three initiatives to improve Vancouver’s business climate? With B.C.’s municipal elections set for November, Business in Vancouver is seeking insights from prospective political leaders on their business game plans should they be elected. The newspaper is focusing [...]
Don Cayo Vancouver Sun May 9, 2008 Citizen watchdog groups keep tabs on City Hall Oversight: In the absence of any formal process, community activists are leading the way Municipal politicians often boast that theirs is the most accountable kind of government. And no doubt there are special opportunities for give-and-take with voters in small [...]
Saturday, April 05, 2008 Don Cayo Vancouver Sun Municipal spending is all over the map Here’s a pop quiz for you. In 2006, your share of the cost of your municipal government was: A. $5,035. B. $361. C. Somewhere in between. If you live in Whistler, the correct answer is A, $5,035. (To be fair, [...]
