Photo from the National Post
We'll have to wait and see what the reaction will be to Wasylycia-Leis' announcement that she would raise taxes if elected mayor of Winnipeg. I would suspect however, that it will probably end in swift defeat.
For starters, raising taxes doesn't look good in print. The headline in the Winnipeg Free Press read 'Vote for me, and I'll raise taxes: Judy.' That's probably not what Wasylycia-Leis' campaign team wanted to see.
I agree with Wasylycia-Leis' assessment that we need more money for infrastructure in Winnipeg. There is also no doubt that we need new sources of revenue - although an increase in property taxes isn't the best approach; rather lowering the business tax would probably have a more desired long-term impact on increasing civic revenue - but to propose an increase in taxes while campaigning is political suicide.
Katz' strategy at this stage is quite clear: let Judy sink her own ship. He doesn't even have to answer any questions about the possibility of a tax increase. If the topic comes up, he can easily deflect the question by reminding the press that Wasylycia-Leis wants to raise taxes.
Katz suggested that the property tax freeze would not last forever; however, he never specifically said that he would end it. It's in his best interest to remain vague on the topic. He may in fact raise property taxes, but at least he and his campaign team have the common sense to avoid the topic altogether.
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