So it's time to drop the gloves. Let's review some of stellar arguments advanced in favor of the True North arena. It's a private sector led initiative. It ain't so. Manitobans will continue to subsidize the arena's operating costs through a myriad of tax breaks, credits and VLT freebies.
Nothing is lost by striking a sweetheart property tax break with the city.
Struggling homeowners can expect to subsidize a building that's valued at 1000 times more than an average house but pays only 160 times more in property taxes. The double standard is not likely to win over business owners, particularly competitors in the entertainment industry, saddled with a business tax and entertainment tax that True North managed to negotiate off their books. We need a new arena downtown because the existing one is too low class or not good enough to house second tier hockey players and tractor pull events. That one speaks for itself. Public opinion is lined up in their favor of the new arena.