Editor:
In a recent letter in the March 28 edition of the Outlook, “Taxing part-time residents extra could create ‘us vs. them community’”, a former Canmore weekender and now full-time resident of Canmore, argues that incentives for full-time residence, including additional tax for part-time residency are “inequitable and unjust” and “punitive” to part-time residents.
As a Canmore weekender, I think this is a great initiative. The housing crisis in Canmore and across Canada demands leadership, and by showing concern with people who live and work in the town, Canmore council is showing such leadership.
Equity means fairness. Requiring those who have the means to purchase a second home, probably because of unearned privilege and luck, to pay their fair share, is the definition of equity. Any weekender who cares about this community should happily endorse this initiative.
Lindsay McLaren,
Calgary and Canmore
