Hamilton says as mayor, he will deliver a one-year tax freeze, then increase taxes no more than the rate of inflation annually.
“Promising zero per cent (in tax increases) for four years will mean four years of cuts to services,” he said.
As a councillor, Aspden was part of the city council which froze taxes in the 1990s.
“Zero sounds good, but it was a mistake,” he said. “Even a little bit (of a tax increase) would have made it better later.
“We are (the city is) $170 million in debt, so we are not in the black.”
The candidates also fielded questions about how to make the downtown more senior-friendly, and safety in general there.
“As your mayor I would make the province accountable,” said Ramsay. “The province is in the booze business. They are just issuing as many liquor licences as possible and raking in the dough.”
“We should just not be promoting bars, bars, bars,” said Ahmed. “The downtown is not balanced.”
Parking and snow plowing, as well as sidewalk plowing, were also discussed during the two-hour debate before a full crowd in the chapel.
Veteran candidate Darren Roskam did not attend, citing personal reasons.
Keywords: seniors, election
