In the private sector the only time there are salary increases is when profits rise due to increased productivity and other positive economic indicators.
If lucky they may see 3-4 % increases. Even public sector union wage increases are held to 3-5% otherwise we would see rampant inflation.
Just because a tax deduction is no longer accepted by CRA that doesn’t entitle elected officials to more than a 5% net increase from the taxpayers. (Possibly mayor and council should lobby the federal government if they feel the cancellation of a 30% tax break is unfair)
The idea of more councillors to share the workload should be preferable since new councillors are commenting on the overwhelming job duties in 2019. Our population base warrants an additional two councillors but four-and-a-half years ago this referendum question concluded on staying with four councillors as possibly our community then did not have as many pressing issues.
Also comparisons with other larger jurisdictions are not relevant. As in their comparisons to support a 65% pay raise there was no mention that in June 29, 2017, PQB News, in an article… “QB councillors make nearly 50% more than their Parksville counterparts.”
Jean Young
Qualicum Beach