Crowsnest Pass Taxpayers’ Association Response to the “MythBusters and Facts” published on the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Facebook Website and Advertised in the Pass Herald

October 30, 2024

Synopsis: The "MythBusters" posted by the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass appear to deflect attention from legitimate concerns within the community, distracting from the real issues citizens face. Effective communication should involve acknowledging public concerns and engaging in meaningful dialogue, not shifting blame onto residents.

The claim that the "MythBusters" received 755 views suggests that going viral matters more than addressing the pressing challenges of high taxes, rising debt, and excessive spending. Since 2024, the Municipality's debt has risen from $9.38 million to an anticipated $13.86 million, with tax revenue increasing by 48% in just one year. Yet, there has been no effort from Council or administration to propose solutions for lowering taxes or managing spending.

The Taxpayers’ Association is committed to transparency and education, helping residents understand how tax dollars are being spent. We continue to raise awareness about the Municipality's complex budget, which should be presented in a clearer, more accessible format for all citizens.

The "MythBusters" did not include references or sources to allow for public verification of the claims made. In contrast, we ensure our work is backed by publicly available documents and reliable data. The community deserves a government that listens, values citizen input, and prioritizes fiscal responsibility.

The time for change is now. It’s time to elect a new Council in 2025, one that serves with integrity, accountability, and respect for the community.

Full Article:

The Myth Busters, recently posted on the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass website, was likely an attempt by our Councillors, Mayor and Administration, to create an effective communication tool which would not hold them accountable for the dissent which is circulating in the community. Clearly this was a distraction to divert attention onto the people so that the errs and missteps of council and administration went unnoticed. There are far more effective ways of de-escalating misinformation. Acknowledging public concerns and knowing what to do with this information provides valuable feedback for elected officials. This is not a time for our local government and administration to look strong nor to please themselves. Citizens deserve answers to their questions and solutions to the true issues in our community. An urgency to share that the Myth Busters received 755 views gave the implication that going viral seemed more important than the challenges that Council, Mayor, CAO and administration are being faced with. Research and statistics clearly report that change can be affected by only 1 % percent of a total population.

It is interesting that Facebook was chosen as the tool of choice and the vehicle to communicate transparency when there is much controversy in our world that shares social media is known to elevate negative aggressive views. Not all information is evidence. Daily, we are confronted with opinion and misleading statements based purely on conjecture or worse, blatant lies. A string of articles has suddenly appeared in the Pass Herald, to inform citizens about Council’s accomplishments, achievements, as well as, their preparedness for the winter season so that citizens would be well informed. This has not been a regular or consistent way of communicating with constituents in the past. The question that needs to be asked, “for what purpose and why has this manner of communication suddenly taken prevalence?”

Years of deception by our Council and administration gives every indication that it is far too late to gain the trust of the citizens of Crowsnest Pass. The dissent in the community is real. They have become a story of their own scandals. What are the lies and what is the truth? When citizens lose trust in their government, it is difficult to re-establish that trust again. Trust is an unrenewable commodity and the accumulation of missteps means that the benefit of the doubt has been lost and mistakes are now magnified. The most obvious way for council to win back some audience would be to repeal, or at least pause. Instead of blaming citizens, council may have looked at more effective ways of communication to regain the trust of the people. This way of embracing the voices of citizens may be unpleasant for council but not a crisis requiring extra measures if they choose to remember their role and who they serve.

Rather than citizens giving attention to the Myth Busters, it is important to know that the greatest concern is a pattern of year to year increasing high taxes and debt with no end to spending, which significantly impacts all citizens in the Crowsnest Pass. This includes permanent residents, vacation owners, renters, short term rentals, seniors, new property owners, businesses and those on a fixed income. Instead of discrediting citizens, council might want to examine why they are not listening to the views of the people. At the beginning of 2024, the debt totalled $9.38 million and the debt is anticipated to reach $13.86 million by the end of this year with an ever-increasing debt in 2025. Revenue from Municipal taxes has increased by almost $4 million or 48 % in one year and revenue, in the past 5 years, has also increased by almost $4 million (48 %). As part of the 2025 budget deliberations, held October 10, 2024, a request was brought forward as an initiative to purchase new fleet and equipment to replace “tired” fleet and equipment.

At no time has the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council, Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer and Administration made any effort to suggest creative ideas or solutions to lower taxes. Our local government continues to borrow and spend. When has there been an opportunity to engage or value citizens’ ideas for ways to lower taxes and decrease spending? Was there any consideration to acknowledge that, perhaps, the people in the Crowsnest Pass do not want to borrow more and would prefer to lower the debt? If our local government continues down this path of borrowing and spending, will residents eventually face being taxed out of their homes and will rents be unaffordable?

The Crowsnest Pass Taxpayers’ Association is committed and dedicated to inform, educate, and bring greater awareness, as well as, a better understanding of how tax dollars are being spent and collected. Our approach is to be transparent so that individuals have the right to learn and be heard. To date, monthly meetings have shared information about the assessment process and valuations established by the Municipal assessor as mandated by the provincial government; explanation of the mill rate is the decision of our local government; and, members received a greater understanding for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass operational budget to gain a better understanding of the increasing debt, increased spending, on-going borrowing, and year to year increases in taxes despite a surplus in tax revenue and increase in home valuations.

The Municipal government operational budget, approximately 80 pages in length, is a document that is not meaningful nor is it easily navigated. In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass operational budget should be presented in a manner that is understood by all constituents and since it is a public domain document, it should be accessible to everyone. If public trust and accountability is to be established, there needs to be clear and open financial reporting. Transparency of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass operational budget is the responsibility of our local government and its administration. The intent of the Taxpayers’ Association presentations is to provide a forum where citizens can establish a better understanding for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass budget in a manner that is not only understood but is acknowledged as public information for all citizens and taxpayers. The question that needs to be asked, then, is whether or not “Myth Busters” was presented in a manner that was understood by all and, whether or not the general public is aware that the main source of revenue relies heavily on taxpayer dollars.

It is not the role of the Crowsnest Pass Taxpayers’ Association to dispel the Myth Busters but, rather, to advocate for taxpayers and residents. The Myth Busters was posted on a public domain website without including references or sources indicating where these myths originated or where the information provided in the responses could be found by the public so that they may fact-check and be well informed. The Crowsnest Pass Taxpayers’ Association has been transparent by ensuring that our work, publications and presentations have always provided detailed information that refers taxpayers to referenced public documents and sources so that individuals can readily locate the information. It is also important to be aware, that we rely heavily on data and information derived from the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass operational budget, as well as, Municipal statistics, documents, publications, and Council meeting transcripts. We depend on this information to be accurate and public to the taxpayer. Of greatest interest to us is the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass audited financial statements.

The time for change is NOW! It is time to vote for a new council. One that values the opportunity to serve the electorate; one, where elected officials lead by example making personal sacrifices for the needs of its citizens and their community above personal gain. Imagine if we made these changes and began seeing government as a body of public servants accountable to those they serve. The impact would be profound, setting a standard of integrity that would inspire trust in government and encourage accountability. It’s a fundamental truth that the highest honor of public office is the opportunity to serve. It is about putting citizens and the community in which they reside first.

Although council and administration believe otherwise, there are too many people that are unable to look outside of the unhappiness council has created. People’s ongoing negative experiences, council’s poor decision-making practices and on-going deception has created mistrust between our leaders and its’ citizens. Fatigue exists within our local government and its administration. Transparency regarding the collection and expenditure of citizens’ tax dollars is critical and personal. The community of Crowsnest Pass deserves nothing less than the opportunity to proceed with a new government, that honors and respects collaboration and the importance of the democratic process inspired by the voices of its citizens.

By introducing the Myth Busters, “what has changed?” Taxes remain high, spending is excessive and the debt continues to mount at a time when inflation and groceries, housing, rent and gas costs more. Social media and news releases will not dig Council, Mayor, CAO or Administration out of the hole that they have created for themselves. They have compromised their leadership skills and enhanced antipathy within the community. There has been a lack of understanding for the role that democracy fulfills within a superfluous governance model that respects fairness, just practices, equitable processes and a relationship of transparency with the highest of intentions.

There is only one solution – to prepare, plan and vote for a new council, October 2025. One where integrity matters and one with a vision for positive growth and change.