By Jennifer Quam

Teresa Caputo, co-owner of the McBride Travellers Inn, has some questions about a proposed 2% room tax that the McBride and District Chamber of Commerce is trying to get support for.

The Chamber is proposing that room tax be applied to every accommodator within the municipality of McBride to generating revenue for promoting the community.

The proposal is to place a 2% tax on every room rate. The money would be submitted to the provincial government, who would then in turn send those funds back to the village to use at the discretion of a committee of hotel owners.

The Chamber estimates that the Village has the opportunity to access approximately $26,000 a year based on 100 rooms at 60 percent occupancy.

“As a consumer and as a business owner I think we get taxed to death and I don’t really like the idea of adding another one,” said Caputo.

Caputo and her partner John Molodowich have owned the Travellers Hotel for almost two years. Caputo said their room rates start at $50 and they have 10 rooms blocked off for CN workers.

Caputo said she is concerned how her customers would take the news of having to pay another 2% tax on top of their room rate.

“Everyone that comes in the door is looking for a deal and when you are trying to set a rate it is hard when you have to add another tax,” said Caputo. “Perhaps when I am able to learn more about where the money is going and how much revenue it will produce I might feel differently.”

Caputo said she if not opposed to tourism promotion for the community of McBride but is apprehensive about having to additionally taxing her customers. “I hope to attend the information meeting and learn more,” she said.