We commend City Council’s efforts over the past several months to address the city’s $70 million budget shortfall. While we believe a different process would have delivered in a better result for ratepayers, we are relieved that enough progress was made to avoid the potential 18% tax increase flagged in June. 
 
Regrettably, Council stumbled in the final stretch of this year’s budget marathon, resulting in a 6.04% property tax increase for 2024—the highest increase in 9 years. Although businesses and residents have made sacrifices and hard choices to manage their own budgets, and rightly expected City Hall to do the same, they have been told to dig deeper and pay more this budget cycle. We will continue our push for a pro-growth, low tax environment that makes Saskatoon the most affordable and attractive place in Canada to live, work and build a business. More taxpayers means more money for the things that matter and less tax burden on each one of us—a win for everyone who calls Saskatoon home.