Why does the provincial government order property owners, through municipal taxation, to pay for its clearly defined responsibilities, when it is perfectly able to tax directly for these needs itself?

There is only one source of wealth in the province, its citizens. The municipalities do not have access to some other fund. In fact, the province has a greater supply from that body of wealth. The province obtains funds in a fairer and a truly measurable way which more accurately reflects true wealth and the ability to pay.

Property taxes are based on Market (Current) Value Assessment and are supposed to represent the sales price amount.  In most cases, nobody knows accurately, the value of a property until it is sold.  Instead a “guesstimate” is determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) often without physically seeing the property.  Market Value Assessment has no accurate formula which can be checked. It is a wrong and impossible method! MPAC has been highly chastised for its bad performance by the Ontario Ombudsman.

As property values shift, especially upward and from one class to another resulting in rising taxes, the owners of properties are forced to find extra money to pay the bill. The wrong people are taxed in a wrong way for the wrong reasons. They are forced to pay what they can no longer afford, and thus are often forced to sell. Is that what taxes are supposed to do? High property taxes prevent many from buying. New and older business’s are stifled and prevented.

It is time for this form of assessment to end and be replaced with an accurate, fairer, affordable and measurable and clearly understandable formula.

Is it time for property taxes to just pay for clearly definable  municipal needs, rather than Provincial responsibilities, like social services, conservation  areas, the health units, ambulances, provincial court costs, highways, etc. and yes education, which have nothing to do with properties? It is time that these are paid through provincial taxation means.

50% of property taxes pay for provincial responsibilities. It is ludicrous for provincial parties to say that “the Ontario Government cannot afford to pay for its responsibilities”.  Total taxes will not rise. They will be shifted to the more appropriate venue. Once shifted, they will be paid in a way which more accurately reflects actual wealth. As the government is forced to find the money, it will become more fiscally prudent in its legislative decisions and so its expenditures. The duplications involved in downloading, will cease.

The present situation is causing the massive financial problems that we see destroying cities like Toronto and municipalities right across the province.

In this coming election we ask all parties to say how they will resolve the property tax issues now. 

We call upon people power.  An Osprey media poll stated that 80% of people are against downloading and the current assessment system. Municipalities and the AMO need to know that they have the people’s support.

Talk to you candidates. Ask where they stand on the issues. Support CAFTA/CNTC. Vote! Send a message loud and clear to the next Ontario government!

Working together we are making a difference!
Sincerely:
Norm Gurr, Director -- Canadian National Taxpayers Coalition