Prince George, B.C.- Accordinig to the latest municipal spending report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business,  the City of Prince George is making improvements.

In its latest report, based on data from 2012, (the most recent available) the CFIB shows Prince George ranks 58th among the 151 communities examined when it comes to  operational spending   per capita.  It pegs that spending  at $1,540 per person. But that is better than  the  previous year, when the City was sitting in 67^th spot.  

The CFIB notes P.G. had a 2% drop in the amount of operational spending per capita  from 2011 to 2012.

The report indicates that while Prince George has moved up in the ranks, spending  has increased 27% in the 12 years from 2000 to 2012  and says the population dropped 4% during that same period.

According to the CFIB, the best community in the Province is Lake Cowichan, where per capita operational spending in 2012 was just $945 .

Among Northern communities, Prince George fares  better,  sitting in 7^th spot.  Terrace is listed as the best  northern community, with operational spending per capita of  $1,384 in 2012.

The worst community in the Province when it comes to operational spending?  Stewart,  where the CFIB says  the community’s operational  per capita spending was $5,771 in 2012.

The report notes “From 2000 to 2012, BC’s population grew by 15 per cent while inflation-adjusted municipal operating spending increased by 55 per cent, or more than three and a half times population growth.”

The CFIB is calling on municipalities to limit their operating spending increases to the rate of population growth and inflation.

The full report can be accessed here.