Cumberland Candidate Stephen Blais supports property tax increases at the rate of inflation. To this end, if elected to city council, Candidate Blais will voluntarily accept a 10% pay cut to his salary should he break his promise.

“After years of consecutive tax increases more than doubling the rate of inflation, we owe it to residents to get City spending under control,” says Cumberland Candidate Stephen Blais. “City council must stop thinking of Ottawa taxpayers as ATM’s with unlimited amounts of money at their disposal.”

In 2003, Cumberland Councillor Rob Jellett was elected on a 0% tax increase promise only to break this promise during his first budget on council. Since Jellett’s election, property taxes have increased by 24.57% while inflation has been 11.24%.

During this same time, Rob Jellett and City Council have increased express transit passes by 50% and water rates by 137.6%.

“For too long, politicians promise one-thing to get elected only to break this promise once in office,” adds Blais. “It’s time to bring some accountability back to City Hall – that’s why I’m putting my money where my mouth is.”

In 2006, Larry O'Brien promised zero-means-zero only to break his promise.