Property taxes remain a burden on residents and local governments

Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj says property taxes remain a burden to both residents and local governments.

“We know, because we [as the local government] are the front line servers.”

And municipalities are still dealing with a number of burdens.

“When we look at other areas, the property taxes charged for the services provided - from clean water, safe streets, roads and bridges, and all these services we provide.”

She added it is often said local governments operate on eight cents out of every tax dollar.

But Ross-Zuj said the reality in a two-tier government, “it is more like three cents.”

She added “for the services provided to our local residents, we certainly stretch our dollars to the best possible capacity that we have.”

The mayor added, “In Canada, 93 per cent of these services are provided at the municipal level.”

Comparably in Europe, Ross-Zuj said less that 20% of services are dependent on property taxes.

“In the United States, it is 70%.”

“In Canada, with the responsibilities we have, and the amount which has to come from property taxes - is enormous ... and it is not getting any better.”

She said there needs to be a way to get back to where municipalities can be relatively successful with the efficiencies that they have.