Regional Council will shortly be considering whether to adopt a new approach to regional development charges (RDCs). Currently, RDCs pay for a portion (roughly one-third) of the infrastructure (roads, mass transit, water, sewers, etc.) required to support residential and business development. The average tax-payer pays for the other portion through taxes and user fees.

This will be the first big test of the Region's 1997 Official Plan. That plan called for the Region to "grow in, not out". How can RDCs influence whether the Region evolves in that way? Quite simply, by making RDCs area specific and by eliminating the current subsidy system. Unfortunately, RMOC staff have recommended a policy that moves only very slightly away from a "flat-earth" vision. 

RDCs should actually reflect the cost of development in various areas. The actual cost of providing infrastructure for an average $150,000 residence varies from $ 0.00 to $5,000 in the urban core area, to $42,000 -- $48,000 in the south urban area!

Everyone interested in lower taxes should stand up and be counted on this one. Few issues will have a greater impact on future taxation in Ottawa-Carleton. For shear tax and economic impact, Lansdowne Park and the NHL Senators pale into insignificance by comparison. Current practice considers all areas to be equal (i.e. the "flat-earth" model) where everyone subsidises those areas that are more expensive to develop. We are talking about $6.4 Billion over the period 1999 - 2021! Moreover, once the infrastructure is in place, everyone pays forever. Remarkably, we are now actually subsidising a practice that leads to school closures!

I believe that those who chose to live in expensive-to-develop areas should pay for the privilege. They should definitely not be subsidised by society. Indeed, maybe we should go further. It can't be argued that we need more urban sprawl. A vibrant downtown, however, is an absolute necessity meriting society's support. 

Time will tell if this Council will stand up to the pressure and implement policies to grow in, not out. Or will it decide that, if the earth is not really flat after all, then citizens will be taxed to make it so. 

Jacques Legendre
Councillor