HOTEL SUBSIDY: Give Money To People Who Need It

04/12/2023

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has made the very simple argument against Germain Hotels receiving a large property-tax break to stimulate construction of a building at Ottawa International Airport.

Sutcliffe’s argument is simple. It is also correct.

Germain Hotels will not locate at the airport unless it feels, in the long run, it will make money. The grant from the city is a plus for Germain. But it’s quite likely the hotel will locate there anyway because it’s a good deal.

Pro-Airport Hotel Grant Argument Defies Logic: STANKOVIC

Throwing millions at a company that is already doing what you want it to do is a waste. Whatever division the arcane formula the hotel has dreamed up to parse $13 million is a waste of taxpayers’ money. If Germain doesn’t build at the airport but there’s a market for such a hotel, someone else will build it. Hoteliers like to make money.

Meanwhile, the good people at the Olde Forge are having trouble finding money to deliver a hot meal to deserving elderly folks.

Look, do we give money to people who don’t need it, or do we give money to people who need it … badly?

Make the right decision council. The argument against the hotel grant is simple but true.