ottawa taxpayer advocacy group

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Ottawa TAG begin?

A: We began about November 2008 and will take a couple of years to reach full operational levels, consultation on budget deliberations to reduce spending and taxes. 

Q: What does Ottawa TAG plan to do?

A:  Our activities include:

• Publishing paper of recommendations
• Print, radio, TV and online advertising campaign
• Quarterly newsletter
• Annual conference focused on municipal efficiency
• Budget deliberation consultation

Q: What areas will Ottawa TAG review?

A:  Our activities will focus on various City of Ottawa departments:  Public Housing, Libraries, Community Centres, OC Transpo, Ottawa Hydro, Paramedics & Public Health, Water & Sewer,  Police, Fire & Emergency Services,  Snow Removal,  Garbage Removal,  Parking, By-Law & Licensing and Legal. 

Q: How can I help?

A:  Volunteer:  media relations, logistics and research.  Write: your City Councillor and the Mayor about your support for Ottawa TAG recommendations.

Q: What is the cost of membership?

A:  There is no membership fee. 

Q:  What If Zero Means Zero is not possible? What if you have to cut services?
 
A: Zero means Zero is possible, Council should agree on a vision and fight to make it happen, even if it involves legislation changes by other levels of government. The City can undertake 4 steps: 1) Reduce the spend on compensation - 250 million in savings 2) Make existing process more efficient and reduce administration expenses - 50 million in savings 3) Prioritize existing services and reduce service levels if necessary - 200 million in savings 4) Continuous improvement of an efficient operation- 20 million per year. 

Q:  How effective will the organization be in reducing our taxes?

A:  A better description of our group is critic as opposed to lobbyist. Last year the Council did not fulfill zero means zero and there was no one to organize people to give the Council and the Mayor feedback on their decisions. This year we will be ready both before their budget decision and after their budget decisions. All year round we will be there to comment when they use infrastructure money from the province to pay for snow removal. This is a long term initiative, so that no longer will the Council be able to waste money without the voice of a critic reminding them that we know that they have made a wrong decision, a catalogue of these decisions will influence voter decisions, and when they make right decisions it will be recognized.

We are already getting feedback from the people, Councillors and the media; they are hearing our comments and we are making a difference.

Q: How do I make a contribution?

A:  To donate make cheques payable to Ottawa Taxpayer Advocacy Group and mail to PO Box 31054- 100 Bayshore Drive, Ottawa, ON, K2B 8S8.