To The Editor,

I am hoping to get a message across to our elected officials and others regarding the realities many Champlain residents/taxpayers are facing, using myself as an example, as many are feeling the same stress. Retirees and workers all face these issues: increasing expenses versus income.

I retired in February 2002 with a fixed pension, meaning no inflation or cost of living adjustments since or in the future. We did have some RRSP’s (limited due to company pension) that are now RRIF’s, meaning capital decreases regularly while paying taxes on obligatory withdrawals. As RRIF capital decreases so do mandated withdrawals.

We own our own home meaning we pay property taxes, water fees, electric bills, insurance premiums and more. As seniors, we are easy targets.

In 2002, retirement year, we had a decent amount of disposable income designed to make retirement lifestyle enjoyable. That may now be a thing of the past. I charted many expenses from 2005 to 2019. Our Champlain Township property tax bill has increased by 58%, water fees increased by 85% yielding, an increase of 62%. Our electricity bill has increased by 118%, home insurance premiums by 135% and so on ………….
Many politicians tell us “It’s only xx% or XX $’s and should not really be an issue. Well, 15 years of “it’s only” do add up as can be seen and have now become a big issue..

OHIP coverage decreases once +65.

In short, our gross income has decreased by at least 19% whereas our expenses (obligations) have increased by around 75%.

We are promised that other venues to increase revenues will be or are being looked at to increase municipal revenues. This requires planning, forecasting, soliciting, sales calls etc. But Champlain population is not open to development and are often against any changes to anything.

The easy way to balance the budget has historically been to increase property taxes and fees every year and move on to the next topic. After all “it’s only …”

To get new income, our politicians must get out there and make contacts, determine customer needs and work out a mutually beneficial partnerships. Outside help may be needed such as realtors and or developers, renumerated on results.

Consultants get paid regardless even when nothing positive occurs.

Champlain resident taxpayers are not partners, they seem to be targets and a pandora’s box to keep emptying year after year. Sad the new council promises were just …….

Richard Charest,
Vankleek Hill