Amid the uncertainty stemming from the global financial crisis, governments around the world are looking for ways to stem the tide of runaway debt and restore confidence in the economy.
In contrast, Surrey has one of the strongest balance sheets of any city in Canada. Finance Chair Councillor Tom Gill credits this to a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility shared by him and his Surrey First colleagues.
“We just don’t believe that governments can spend their way to a strong economy. The fact that property taxes on the average family home in Surrey are the lowest in Metro Vancouver means we are moving in the right direction,” stated Tom Gill a Certified Management Accountant. Tom Gill has also played an important role in guiding Surrey to a national award for presenting its financial statements in a clear and easy-to-read format for residents.
For Mayor Dianne Watts it’s about respecting the taxpayer. “We remain one of the few cities in Canada to have a Whistleblower Policy to protect employees who report fraud or waste of tax dollars at City Hall – what could be more basic than that?,” asks Watts.
Watts surprised many when she became one of the few municipal leaders to support the provincial government’s call for the establishment of a Municipal Auditor General
Said Watts, “If we expect residents to become more engaged in their communities and in local government, they must have as much information as possible to make informed decisions.”