QUEEN’S PARK – NDP’s Housing Critic MPP Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) completed a scan of the GTHA and found that nearly every single municipality has been forced to raise property taxes as a result of the government’s Bill 23, which slashed development fees.
“People are already struggling with a steep rise in the cost of living. Because of Doug Ford’s decision to give big developers a tax break, we found that nearly every single municipality is being forced to hike property taxes with any improvement in services. Now Ontarians are being forced to make up the difference and pay a big price,” said Bell.
Bell’s research revealed Burlington is looking at a 7.5 per cent tax hike; Toronto a 7 per cent hike; Peterborough County 8 per cent; Waterloo Region 8.6 per cent; and Markham 6.4 per cent.
“The Minister of Housing has time and again promised to make municipalities whole. How is slashing critical development fees that fund the upkeep of our parks, transit, libraries helping municipalities build healthy and well-serving communities?
“And can Minister Clark tell me how offloading hundreds of extra dollars onto people at a time when the cost of groceries, gas, transit is up in the best interest of Ontarians?”
According to The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Bill 23 will reduce municipal revenue from developer fees by $5.1 billion over nine years. City of Toronto staff calculate that Bill 23 will cost Toronto $2.3 billion in lost revenue over 10 years.
“It seems like Ford’s Conservatives are more interested in taking care of his close developer friends than helping real people in Ontario,” Bell said.
NDP Housing Critic finds Ford costing Ontarians more in property taxes
Published on March 1, 2023