ottawa taxpayer advocacy group

More About Our Group

Ottawa TAG's (Taxpayer Advocacy Group) primary mandate is to:

• Provide a voice in local municipal governmental issues through a grassroots organization
• Fulfill the role of loyal opposition and vocal critic of City Council financial decisions in order to alleviate the heavy property tax burden
• Research, investigate and challenge current and past spending habits of city management
• Recommend changes in "public disclosure" information to improve the democratic process
• Encourage "real" participation in the budget process through information that the average taxpayer can understand

Currently, there is no citizen lead organization focused exclusively on defending the interests of the property Taxpayer in Ottawa.

The result of years of increased spending is that we have two classes of citizens; those who pay to fund the excesses at the City and those who spend and benefit from the funds.

Growth since amalgamation in 2002:

• City staff numbers have increased from 12,786 to 14,391 full time employees
•  Operating budget ballooned from 1.7 billion to 2.2 billion annually

• Average compensation is $80,000; a 50% increase from $52,000 at amalgamation

Ottawa city spending about 50% of its budget on employees results is one of the worst records for a municipality in Ontario.  The average city in Ontario spends about 39% of its budget towards employee compensation.

While increasing taxes at the rate of inflation may be justified in some cases, the intended financial savings hoped for as a result of amalgamation have yet to be realized.  ZERO SHOULD MEAN ZERO tax increases until the intended savings from amalgamation are achieved. 

Join us in making the City of Ottawa management accountable.