Every year, the same debate returns – rising costs, growing demands for city services, and another property tax increase.

The assumption seems to be that higher taxes are the inevitable solution. They aren’t.

There is a limit to how much residents, seniors, renters, and small businesses can absorb. At some point, higher taxes make housing less affordable, discourage investment, and increase the cost of doing business. Eventually, the tax base itself begins to weaken.

The better solution is to grow the economy.

A vibrant downtown, successful neighbourhood businesses, new housing, tourism, innovation, and private investment all expand the tax base without placing a greater burden on existing taxpayers. More economic activity means more revenue to support parks, roads, public safety, recreation, and community programs.

This is not an argument against paying for essential services. It is an argument for paying for them more sustainably.

Victoria already has the ingredients for success: a highly educated workforce, world-class universities and colleges, an enviable quality of life, a thriving visitor economy, and entrepreneurs who want to invest here.

The question is whether we continue relying primarily on higher taxes or focus on creating the conditions for long-term economic growth.

Prosperity is not a luxury. It is what allows communities to invest in housing, infrastructure, social programs, and the services residents expect.

Victoria doesn’t need higher taxes to become stronger. It needs a stronger economy.