Victoria councillor responds to Christmas decoration backlash

A Victoria councillor has released a statement in response to public backlash over the City passing a motion to look into altering spending on Christmas decorations.

The statement released Tuesday on Coun. Ben Isitt’s Twitter account, said the question about appropriate level of public funding on decorations, which came up as part of a line-by-line analysis of Victoria’s 800-page budget document, was consistent with his promise in the recent election campaign to advocate for cost-effective public services.

RELATED: Reader response: City of Victoria considers scrapping Christmas decorations

Statement on the Municipal Budget #yyj #yyjpoli pic.twitter.com/ms06BME2Wi

— Ben Isitt (@Ben_Isitt) December 11, 2018

Isitt noted while going through the 2019 budget that the $90,000 paid annually for seasonal decorations, including Christmas decorations, should be reconsidered.

Since the story was published hundreds of people have commented on the idea, most expressing opposition to the idea.

“This is the issue that the media has chosen to focus on, which is their right. I intend to continue focusing on the major issues confronting our community – including housing rights, climate change and other measures to build a strong, sustainable city and region,” wrote Isitt.

READ MORE: City of Victoria considers scrapping funds for Christmas decorations

The question about the decorations, he said, was in the context of other priorities for public services and whether the money could be better spent elsewhere.