As I was driving downtown to pick up my son from his day program, I stopped at a light and noticed a brand-new Calgary Fire Department vehicle idling beside me. Having just paid my property taxes the day before, I imagined what part of that vehicle I had contributed to. Perhaps a hinge on the side door, a nut on one of the tires, or maybe some unseen part of the ignition system. For a few seconds, I felt thankful for this crucial city service that brings peace of mind to most of us and essential emergency assistance to those in trauma.
Beyond the Fire Truck: A Web of Services
As I continued toward the city centre, I passed a Calgary Transit Access bus and smiled. For 15 years, Access Calgary has delivered my son, who has Down syndrome, to and from his volunteer work placements. Our family could not have made things work without their support. A few minutes later, I passed a piece of urban art and realized that my tax dollars, via Calgary Arts Development, played a small part in bringing this thought-provoking piece into being. And what about the roads I was driving on and the traffic lights that kept everything running smoothly? I could not help but feel thankful for all the people who work in road maintenance, traffic management, and at Enmax, as I glided through a series of perfectly synchronized green lights.
The list kept growing: a Calgary Police Service vehicle keeping things safe and in order, a public library stewarding communal knowledge, and a city hall filled with public servants working for the common good—urban planners, parking authorities, recreation centre staff, garbage, recycling, and composting services, city councillors, and our new mayor. As I added all of this up, I was filled with gratitude. To think that we get all of this while living in a city nestled next to the Rocky Mountains, in one of the most beautiful and well-resourced provinces in Canada!
Provincial Services Also Deserve Thanks
While some of us may be griping about taxes, I am still very thankful for the new ring road that has provided all kinds of vehicular freedom and brought everything so much closer. Even though I am frustrated with provincial politics right now, I continue to be thankful for provincially funded teachers and schools, health-care workers and hospitals, and for those who work in social services to care for the most vulnerable Albertans. Even with the strains these community services are currently under, I do not want to lose sight of the fact that they even exist at all. Our education system consistently ranks high, our health care is still mostly free, and I trust we will find a way to provide social services that are fair and equitable.
Most years I grumble about paying my taxes, but this year I feel thankful for everything they fund. Where would we be without all that they support?
