The following letter to the editor was published by the Oakville Beaver on Friday, January 30.
On the evening of Friday, Jan. 16, I received a phone call from Pollara Strategic Insights, a Canadian public opinion and market research firm.
They were conducting a detailed survey commissioned by the Town of Oakville. One of the questions concerned whether I favoured the Town of Oakville raising revenues through a Municipal Land Transfer Tax like Toronto has.
I thought that idea had a fairly vigorous workout during the recent municipal campaign and was proven unpopular.
In fact, the idea was sufficiently unpopular that the mayor, Rob Burton, actually waffled on whether or not he supported it.
In my ward, Ward 5, Councillor Jeff Knoll was clear on his opposition to such a tax.
Finally, in last June's provincial election, both Oakville MPPs indicated their opposition to the idea.
So, I have to wonder: is Town Hall's pollster asking the redundant question as part of an effort to introduce another new tax?
- Richard Landau, Oakville
