Some fear they could be left behind as council debates new budget

There’s a growing population of low-income or disabled Calgarians that feel they could be left behind as the council decides the city’s financial direction for the next four years.

Tammy Poirier came to City Hall in hopes of convincing councillors to either freeze the transit rates or introduce a sliding scale.

She relies on Access Calgary, her husband relies on the senior’s pass with Calgary Transit.

“Right now with the rent and food increase that’s going on right now, it’s going to be impossible for me to afford my bus pass and to get around on Transit or Access Calgary, I’m going to have start resorting to tickets and that’s going to cost me more money,” she said.

“It’s not right, it’s not okay that they have froze the senior’s pass and won’t even look at the low-income pass,” said Poirier.

She believes it’s going to have a huge impact on her life and if she’s not careful, she’s runs the risk of running out of money.

Ward 8 Councillor Evan Woolley admits things like this are a real concern for him and his colleagues.

“It’s been part of the conversation that we’ve had as a council throughout this whole process, how do we keep the taxes as low as we possibly can, while also maintaining some services for those Calgarians who need them,” he said. “Administration went away, we set the indicative rate in May at that, it’s a good budget, there’s not a lot of frills, I’m hoping we can come out at the end at 4.7 per cent.”

Woolley says he likely will be very cautious about taking the scissors to any programs.

Ward 12 Councillor Shane Keating says he’s hoping they can come up with some kind of a middle of the road solution that takes into account efficiencies and those who are able and willing to pay more.

“I honestly have difficulty with percentage after percentage,” he said. “I want to see where we are, what sort of aspect are we looking for.”

“I’m not opposed to looking at the budget the way it is but where are we in comparison to the rest of the city and do we need to look at paying our fair share but making sure those who have difficulties are subsidized in some case.”

Keating says there should always be a concern when talking budget and if there isn’t, than council is missing the point.