TAXATION LEVELS ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE

When Taxes Rise But Your Pay Doesn’t—What Then?

A wake-up call for working households:

These examples are based only on the City of Nanaimo's property taxes and user fees. In reality, Nanaimo taxpayers are also paying taxes to the RDN, NRGH, School District, and Library. For the purpose of this article, we will examine 'just' the City of Nanaimo portion only. The real tax burden will be examined in another article, which paints an even gloomier picture.

In the City of Nanaimo and beyond, rising taxes are often framed as necessary, moderate, or even painless. But the math tells a different story. Over just six years, Nanaimo’s taxes have increased by 42.65%, and at that pace, they’re on track to double in under 12 years.

Let’s put that into real-world terms.

A household earning $50,000/year and currently paying $3,000 in taxes is surrendering 6% of its income to property or municipal taxes.

If taxes double over the next 11.6 years, that tax bill climbs to $6,000/year. For a household to keep paying just 6% of its income, its income would also need to double to $100,000 in the same timeframe.

That’s not just unrealistic—it’s economically dangerous.

The Problem:

Wages are not doubling for most Canadians.

Yet taxes—like a creeping tide—rise predictably, often without serious scrutiny.

What’s being funded with this money? Are services better, faster, or more efficient?

This is the kind of fiscal disconnect that fuels public frustration. It’s not just about big numbers—it’s about what those numbers mean for people struggling to pay bills, save for retirement, or keep their homes.

Taxes and fees have increased by over 42% in the past six years. How many Nanaimo taxpayers have seen a 42% pay increase in the past six years?

Unless you are working for the city,, the answer for many people is they have not seen any real increase in their income at all.

This is not sustainable and our 'leaders' seem oblivious as they continue with their tax 'n' spend agenda.