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06-23-2006, 06:57 AM
No relief in sight for Ont. property tax payers
CTV.ca News Staff
Just as property tax bills begin to arrive in mailboxes throughout the province, the finance minister said he will look at ways to improve the assessment system.
Unfortunately, any improvements will not affect this year's bill.
With property tax rates soaring higher than inflation, opposition members have suggested a five per cent cap on annual assessments.
"I've heard people call for one variety of a cap or other," Greg Sobara told reporters Thursday, "Everyone would like that of course."
The problem with the suggested cap, according to Sobara, is that no one identifies another method for generating the revenue that would be lost if there was a ceiling on tax hikes.
While Sobora says that he is looking into ways to ease the financial burden of property taxes, he has not said how or when the government will act.
Opposition members continue to criticize the Liberals for their lack of action on the issue.
"Two months ago, he said the government was seized with the issue. Little did we know he meant paralyzed," Progressive Conservative MPP Tim Hudak said Thursday.
"They have no answer for taxpayers who are getting their increased tax bills in the mail today."
The Conservatives are not alone in their criticism of the assessment system.
Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin, told CTV Toronto that he gave the government six months to act on his recommendations. That was three months ago.
Since taking his post in April 2005, a report released Thursday said Marin's office dealt with 3,961 complaints against the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
It topped the list as the highest number of complaints against a government organization.
Most of the complaints were received during the five-month investigation of the MPAC's evaluation process.
On Wednesday, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley held a press conference to express his frustration with the assessment system he described as unfair.
Bradley warned that if the province doesn't change the way it assesses the value of a home, it will lead to a "property tax revolt."
With a report from CTV's Paul Bliss
CTV.ca News Staff
Just as property tax bills begin to arrive in mailboxes throughout the province, the finance minister said he will look at ways to improve the assessment system.
Unfortunately, any improvements will not affect this year's bill.
With property tax rates soaring higher than inflation, opposition members have suggested a five per cent cap on annual assessments.
"I've heard people call for one variety of a cap or other," Greg Sobara told reporters Thursday, "Everyone would like that of course."
The problem with the suggested cap, according to Sobara, is that no one identifies another method for generating the revenue that would be lost if there was a ceiling on tax hikes.
While Sobora says that he is looking into ways to ease the financial burden of property taxes, he has not said how or when the government will act.
Opposition members continue to criticize the Liberals for their lack of action on the issue.
"Two months ago, he said the government was seized with the issue. Little did we know he meant paralyzed," Progressive Conservative MPP Tim Hudak said Thursday.
"They have no answer for taxpayers who are getting their increased tax bills in the mail today."
The Conservatives are not alone in their criticism of the assessment system.
Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin, told CTV Toronto that he gave the government six months to act on his recommendations. That was three months ago.
Since taking his post in April 2005, a report released Thursday said Marin's office dealt with 3,961 complaints against the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
It topped the list as the highest number of complaints against a government organization.
Most of the complaints were received during the five-month investigation of the MPAC's evaluation process.
On Wednesday, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley held a press conference to express his frustration with the assessment system he described as unfair.
Bradley warned that if the province doesn't change the way it assesses the value of a home, it will lead to a "property tax revolt."
With a report from CTV's Paul Bliss
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