Letter: A toonie a day

On May 24, tbnewswatch.com carried an article titled “Public gets say” with reference to holding public consultation on the proposed 6,500 seat multiplex estimated construction cost in the range of $80,000,000 to $126,000,000 depending upon site location.

It would appear that a plebiscite on the project is not on the horizon with the citizenry casting their democratic voice on the subject.

There are two meetings to be held on June 1 and 2 seeking public input, this would also present an opportunity to gauge civic support on the construction of the multiplex.

According to Canada Revenue Agency publication P113(E) Rev. 10, “you can claim a tax credit based upon the eligible amount of the gift” to the following qualified recipient including “municipalities in Canada”.

If the city were to include public participation in this multiplex venture and those who did partake would benefit twice, first in funding its construction and secondarily receive a tax credit.

In the 2010 election there were 82,368 registered voters of which 38,327 cast ballots. If the majority of those casting ballots were in favour of the multiplex, say 20,000 citizens pledging to donate a toonie a day, or $730 per year or $3,650 over the next five years and receiving a tax credit.

The civic coffers would accumulate $73,000,000 at the conclusion of the five-year period.

With the addition of the $25 million from the Renew Thunder Bay fund, we would have a grand total of $98 million monies from the Build Canada “public-private-partnership or P3 fund would be bonus.

Those councillors who are unequivocally in support of this project should initiate this donation process (payroll deductions are available). Senior civic administrators should be afforded the similar opportunity.

If such a donation funding initiative were to be undertaken, it would be a “community multiplex”, one that was built on the toonie.

This donation to the municipality was used in funding in part such civic construction projects as the 55 Plus Centre and West Thunder Community Centre.


Emil Pohler,
Thunder Bay