Community petition initiative seeks to have BC Legislature scrap the Port Tax Cap

A community petition introduced today seems to be building on the work of departing Council members Mayor Lee Brain and Councillor Blair Mirau, the two most vociferous advocates for relief from the provincial taxation regimen in Prince Rupert when it comes to Port Taxation.

The topic one which recently made some headlines through Mayor Lee Brain's State of the City presentation of June and a follow up letter to the editor from Councillor Mirau in July.

The latter something that the Councillor made note of through social media today, as did Mayor Brain in a similar message through his Civic Facebook page.

The narrative to the petition push outlines some of the details of the initiative.  As well as to how the proponents of the petition view the current tax situation from the government on Port Taxation and how it impacts the community.

The full overview of the project, timed with the municipal election in mind, can be reviewed here.

Those inclined to sign the petition can access it from the online portal.

The topic has been a lively one over the summer, there was a slight push back from the Port towards the Mayor's narrative of June, which we outlined in Mid July, offering an overview that reviewed the Port's take on the situation.

July 18 -- Prince Rupert Port Authority gently pushes back a bit on Mayor's financial narrative from State of the City Presentation.

That contribution to the discussion earned the Port officials a fairly strong rebuke from Councillor Mirau, who composed the letter to editor contribution that he notes in the petition launch of today, a view which at the time came strongly endorsed by the Mayor.

July 25 -- The Mirau Manifesto: Councillor expands on Mayor's State of the City Presentation on PRPA related financial themes

Considering the ongoing interest to the theme of the departing Council members, the initiative seems to be a continuation of their talking points from the summer and an indication that while they may no longer be part of the elected council come October, both the Mayor and councillor plan to be vocal advocates for their positions well after the election cycle comes to an end.

Whether the petition  push becomes the dominant narrative of the municipal election campaign and a means test towards gaining support by candidates from the departing municipal politicians remains to be seen.  

But today's launch does seem to set the table for a debate and campaign element that will carry through to October 15th.

More notes on Civic themes can be reviewed from our archive page here.

As the campaign moves forward, you can check in here to see if the petition becomes a topic of note or just a sidebar for the larger decision ahead for the public as to who would become Mayor and form the council.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.