The municipal energy corporation is another white elephant that taxpayers will be on the hook for.
City council does not have the experience nor the money to venture into this kind of business. Putting the taxpayer in jeopardy by taking the fall financially if this does not pan out is fiscally irresponsible.
Look at Servus Place. Making assumptions this is a cash-positive move is dangerous. The city has not had a good track record for making smart choices when playing with taxpayers' money. If the MEC is approved, there is a big risk of large property-tax increases every year. A large number of residents are already at a point where the ongoing tax increases are a hardship.
The city gave a small amount of time for residents to provide a valid petition. In the past, even when the majority of taxpayers say no and actually vote on it, council goes and does what they want anyway. That doesn't place a lot of trust in decisions council makes.
It's time for accountable, responsible, and transparent governance of this city.
J. Ritchie, St. Albert
