Claudia Culley
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder
A survey that collected public feedback on the Regional District of Nanaimo’s 2026 to 2030 financial plan found a significant number of respondents feel taxpayers are overburdened.
The online survey was posted to the RDN’s Budget Talks webpage and conducted online from May 28 to July 8, asking the public “What are your priorities for the RDN Board to consider in the 2026-2030 budget?” The survey was promoted online, in newspapers, in social media posts, and via email for subscribed participants. The RDN runs this survey annually to gather feedback on its five-year financial plan for the following year.
This year’s survey garnered 125 responses, and the RDN received an email with additional comments from an individual. There were also comments on Facebook posts that promoted the survey.
The most common feedback theme was the need for the RDN to exercise fiscal restraint and prioritize financial planning for 2026 to 2030.
Suggestions include capping tax requisition increases at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate or CPI plus up to two per cent, as well as limiting capital expenditures to essential infrastructure. Respondents also suggested limiting non-allocated reserve contributions and making future tax increases smaller for a more sustainable tax system.
“The RDN Board must start considering the taxpayers and their ability to pay the unsustainable tax increases,” one feedback comment reads.
“The taxpayer can no longer be an unlimited bank account.”
Practicing more transparency and accountability in financial allocations was also among the feedback. To put this into action, respondents suggested developing clear guideline requirements and budget increase justifications, improving public understanding of and trust in the RDN’s fiscal management and making sure funds set aside for empty employee positions are not used without formal approval.
The survey also found respondents strongly support carefully prioritizing expenditure with a focus on essential services and infrastructure, like water and waste management, and pushing non-essential projects until operating costs are controlled.
“RDN should be fiscally conservative, now is not the time to being buying nice to haves,” one feedback comment reads. “Our sewers and water systems need to be retained and improved as is necessary.”
Some respondents noted the significance of balancing community needs and taxpayer affordability. Their suggestions include improving public transit access, focusing on the environment, maintaining parks, and prioritizing health care and additional health-care facilities.
The RDN board plans to consider all relevant matters when approving the 2026 to 2030 financial plan, including those raised by the respondents.
The survey report is available for the public to review on the Get Involved RDN Budget Talks webpage. Visit www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/rdn-budget-talks to learn more.
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