Manitoba municipalities are charging families more than needed for unnecessary operating spending.
A recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business report ranked Manitoba’s 26 largest municipalities by their operating spending growth in relation to their population growth.
CFIB Manitoba Director of Provincial Affairs Elliot Sims says most of the increased operating spending is due to labour costs:
"If we look at the City of Thompson, operating spending growth between 2008 and 2013 was up 10% but actually labour costs, which account for 51% of the municipal operating budget actually increased by 25%".
Thompson ranked 20th in the report. The Pas came in last, while the City of Dauphin placed first.