Fight over use of ‘everyday taxpayer’ kicks Hamilton councillor out of meeting

Two Hamilton councillors had a verbal dust-up over the term “everyday taxpayer,” resulting in Coun. Cameron Kroetsch being ejected from the chamber.

The Ward 2 councillor took objection to the expression during Tuesday’s budget meeting about increasing wages and accelerating the city’s master plan for its cycling infrastructure.

Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson used the term while voicing his concerns of a tax hike of 6.8 per cent this year.

“I just want to say to councillor Jackson’s point about ‘everyday taxpayers’,” Kroetsch said.

“It sounds like ‘old-stock Canadians to me,’ a term used over and over again by former prime minister Stephen Harper.”

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The Conservative prime minister was condemned for using the term, which critics said is xenophobic and promotes division.

Jackson said he didn’t recall Harper using the phrase.

Committee Chair Brad Clark called for a retraction and an apology from Kroetsch, saying it was “unparliamentary” toward Jackson.

Kroetsch declined and was then asked to leave by Clark.

During a city council meeting Wednesday, Clark said the three of them settled their differences.

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