The Editor,
Re. "A sensible idea on infrastructure" (Opinion, The Tri-City News, Jan. 15).
The Tri-City News' editorial supports the rationale floated by Port Coquitlam council that since the two senior levels of government collect 90% of taxes, they should pay 90% of infrastructure costs. This position defies logic as much as if I were to suggest that since cities take 8% of all taxes collected, they should contribute 8% of the cost of defence, foreign affairs, health care, education and many areas that are the responsibility of senior government.
You seem to forget the country is structured such that each level of government has its own jurisdiction that it must pay for. Federal highways and inter-provincial infrastructure are funded by the federal government while intercity highways and infrastructure are supposed to be funded by the provincial government. Cities are left to fund roads and bridges within their boundaries and, if they can't, then it's because the rate of taxation is too low or they are misspending the taxes they collect.
If the infrastructure costs are a provincial responsibility, let's direct our efforts at having Victoria fulfill its responsibilities rather than muddy the jurisdictional waters.
As for the suggestion by Port Coquitlam, I hope it's not just another attempt to rationalize in simplistic terms why another level of government should bear the cost of something that's the city's responsibility. Call me a skeptic but I think that may be part of it.
Bob Elliott, Port Coquitlam
