MUNICIPAL ELECTION PLATFORM

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1 MUNICIPAL ELECTION PLATFORM September 2017

2 ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESS As Newfoundland and Labrador s largest business association, we are a vital connection between business and governments in our Province. With our network of over 800 business members of all sizes, in all sectors of the economy, we advocate on behalf of our members. Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation. Simon Sinek 1 P a g e

3 Municipal Election Platform 2017 The St. John s Board of Trade (the Board) aims to educate municipal candidates on creating a desirable place to do business and what must be done to achieve this. Our election platform focuses on three areas. To create (1) a fair and equitable tax regime, (2) an efficient municipal government that embraces digital technologies to improve services and (3) development regulations that encourage businesses to set up in St. John s. We encourage members of the Board to ask the following questions to candidates running for council in City of St. John s. 1. Do you support the implementation of a tax fairness ratio? 2. Do you commit to finding more efficient ways of doing things at City Hall? If yes, how? 3. What are your ideas to help City Hall become more efficient? 4. What are your ideas to build a strong business community in St. John s? 2 P a g e

4 A Fair and Equitable Tax Regime The Board is advocating that a tax fairness ratio be implemented at the City of St. John s. This ratio would narrow the tax gap between commercial and residential property owners. Commercial property owners shoulder a disproportionate tax burden compared to residents. Commercial property owners in St. John s pay three times more property tax than residents and receive far fewer services from the City. Businesses in our City pay their fair share in taxes and fees. Some small business owners pay water tax, business tax, BIA tax, amusement machine tax, ground rent, corporate income tax, NLC license fee, HAPSET, beer commissions tax, gas tax, HST, GST, EI, CPP and SOCAN, just to name a few. Ensuring a fair tax regime is critical for businesses to survive and thrive. Commercial property owners in our City pay 3X more property tax than residents but receive far fewer services. Our Ask. That candidates, if elected, support the implementation of a tax fairness ratio to narrow the gap between commercial and residential property owners. Special Purpose Properties (SPP) The Board is advocating that all businesses be treated fairly by recommending that governments use a market value assessment system for all commercial and industrial properties. Market value is the global standard for property tax and it is recognized globally as an equitable and fair system. SPP regulation creates a two-tier tax system, which is inherently unequal and discriminatory. Fairness and equity dictates that the same value approach should be used for all taxpayers. Singling out any specific building or property for special assessment is in defiance of the fair and equitable market value system. This is in line with the Standard on Tax Policy of the International Association of Assessing Officers. Our Ask. That candidates, if elected, support a fair and equitable market value system. 3 P a g e

5 Efficient Public Service Public servants play a vital role in our daily lives. Providing safe drinking water, snow clearing, garbage collection, fire protection and more. A highly efficient and effective public service is necessary to support a strong, vibrant private sector. A recent report by the Mowat Centre states that for too long the Canadian civil service has continued to be immune to disruption and transformation, partly because it does not face the threats from competitors in the same way that the private sector does. This cushioning, over decades, has created much of the situation that we find all levels of the public service in today. We encourage candidates, if elected, to allow public servants the time and permission to find better ways to deliver services to businesses and residents. Technological advances are changing the way we live, work and do business. According to the World Economic Forum 1 governments have been neglected by technology. In their report released September 2015 they talk about five technology trends that will transform governments in the coming decade: real-time operations, smart cities, increased citizen engagement, 21 st -century reporting software and internal-governmental communication. The City of St. John s must find ways to embrace the above listed technology trends as the results will be years of saved time, better decisions making and stronger communities. Our Ask. That candidates, if elected, commit to embracing technology, continuously exploring other jurisdictions for better ways to deliver services to businesses and residents P a g e

6 Encouraging Business Growth In 2015, in consultation with developers, the Board refined seven guiding principles for an improved planning and development process. Below are excerpts from the document. To review the entire report click here. 1. Provide ample notification to business owners when new fees or requirements are introduced. The imposition of new fees and requirements placed on a developer, especially while in development, can cause major disruption and even at times halt development. 2. Effectively communicate new information to stakeholders. How the City communicates a new fee or requirement is extremely important. Communication in a budget document (i.e. development fee) is a start, however, more communication using different vehicles must be used over a longer period. This will help ensure that the communication is adequate and accomplishes its purpose, which is to inform businesses, developers and citizens of new information. 3. Provide equitable treatment to all citizens. Sharing the cost of amenities that benefit all citizens should be the responsibility of all citizens. 4. Implement service standards for the development process. All governments are expected to provide quality and timely service for its citizens. Increasing citizen service will allow business to be more effective and for governments not to be holding things up. 5 P a g e

7 According to the Institute for Citizen-Centred Service 2, there are five drivers to citizen satisfaction with service: Timeliness: the single most important driver across all services, all governments. Staff: Customers appreciate knowledgeable staff who treat them fairly and go the extra mile, make that extra effort. Positive outcome: I got what I needed. Ease of access. Citizens recent experiences with services. 5. Publicly share how monies collected for specific purposes are being invested and the progress. When fees or taxes are increased it warrants an explanation to those affected by the change. Providing the rationale along with the plan, timelines and progress reports of how the money is being spent is important information to share. 6. Encourage thoughtful planning and development. Members have stated that more big picture planning needs to occur in St. John s. For instance, increasing fees for developers to generate additional revenue may do the exact opposite and encourage developers to go to neighboring Cities to do business or cause developers to increase fees to the individual. Policies related to investment and attraction must align with policies on fee structures. 7. Cultivate a welcoming business environment. In 2013, the Board launched a campaign to celebrate the private sector. The campaign provided education and awareness to help governments and the public understand how the private sector drives the economy. We still come up against attitudes that reflect negatively on the business community. We hope that the City will join in our campaign by sharing how important the private sector is and the contribution its makes to the economy with the citizens of St. John s Our Ask. That candidates, if elected, respect and follow the seven guiding principles to improve planning and development in St. John s P a g e

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