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Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture
doesn't it make sense to have new development pay for the new services required? the only reason services need to be expanded is because of the new developments.
why should existing residents be subsidizing developers/new residents?
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The "expansion" is sometimes also a replacement of an older facility that needs an upgrade so a significant portion of the cost should be borne by those who currently use the facility. And more often than not these facilities (and other forms of infrastructure like sewer, sidewalks etc) have been underfunded so the city is passing on not just the cost of the new work but also passing on all the costs of catching up.
Infrastructure should never be built with only today's needs in mind but tomorrow's as well and much of it is intended to be around for 50+ years - charging only the new person who just showed up and who might only be around for 5-10 years is a bit absurd. The costs should be spread across all residents on an annual basis.
Finally, those new residents provide a new, bigger tax base, that funds not just the creation of new infrastructure but also the maintenance of all infrastructure.
Edit: In the article it lists several of the major projects the money is going towards:
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But the city notes that money is fully allocated in its five-year, $2.6-billion capital plan, which invests in major civic projects, including the redevelopment of the Cameron Community Centre and Library, the Confederation Park Community Centre, and the Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex, as well as the RCMP Facility and city hall redevelopments.
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I'm not sure why new residents are paying for a new City Hall or RCMP facility when both are outdated and which need serious upgrading regardless of whether the city grows or not - just because current residents haven't been paying their bills doesn't mean we should just punt to new residents.