Burnaby pensioner George Steinbach is fed up with the high property taxes increases he's had in recent years.
Steinbach, who lives on Lambeth Drive, saw his property taxes go up by more than 20 per cent this year.
He says he doesn't buy the city's argument that the increase is tied to his property assessment, as the city also increased the tax rate this year.
"My property has gone up in value - does that give the city the right to overspend?" he said. "When does the message come through to people that they've got to live within their means?"
Burnaby council approved a residential property tax rate increase of 3.95 per cent this spring.
Steinbach says the city should cut back on pet projects - such as the new Edmonds pool and recreation centre - until it can afford the projects without a tax increase.
"Governments around the world and everywhere else are cutting back," he said. "We've got the City of Burnaby spending like they're drunken sailors."
The economic upheaval currently happening in Europe and the U.S. could be headed our way, he added.
"It's going to hit here in Canada, too," he said, adding that we're part of a global economy. "We've got way more rough times to come."
City politicians are out of touch with the people of Burnaby, many of whom cannot afford the constant tax and utility increases, he said.
Steinbach's taxes went from about $6,000 last year to $7,300 this year, and with an additional $1,000 for water and sewer rates, he said.
"What do you want to do, raise taxes on somebody's house to $50,000 so they can't afford it?" he said. "This is where we're going."
He noted that this was what was happening in parts of the United States, particularly New York.
Tax and utility costs are increasing but wages aren't, particularly in the public sector, he pointed out, mentioning teachers specifically.
"People around the world are revolting," Steinbach said. "It might be necessary to revolt here."
He said the only other option is to move from the city, to stop paying into the system.
"I don't know what a person can do," he said, "but I do know they're (the government) irresponsible."
Dave Stafford, who spoke with the NOW about his property assessment increase this year and last, phoned to say he too had a property tax increase of more than 20 per cent.
His annual taxes increased from about $2,550 last year to $3,092 (after receiving a homeowner grant) this year, he said.
Something needs to be done to curb the drastic increases, which have an adverse effect on those living on a budget, particularly pensioners, he said.
"Where does it end?" he added, saying he has stopped donating to charities because of his shrinking budget.
This year, the 78-year-old Air Canada retiree saw his property at 4457 Watling St. go up to $932,600 in this year's assessment - an increase of 22.5 per cent over last year.
Stafford's 2011 assessment for the three bedroom home built in 1957 was $760,800.
Homeowners in Burnaby saw an increase in assessed values this year, on average, from five to 15 per cent.
The province offers homeowner grants to help with property taxes, with a reduction up to $570 for most homes and an additional $275 for people 65 and over, those with permanent disabilities and veterans of certain wars.
