CTF Property Tax Report 2001-2005 Aggregate Property Tax Changes
Detailed Property Tax Breakdown (Legal size)
VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released its first property tax report in British Columbia, "The Property Tax Bite: Capping Property Taxes to Protect Homeowners." Sara MacIntyre, provincial director for the CTF notes, "Our report confirms what most homeowners already know, as their assessments increase, so too do their property tax bills. Municipalities are not adjusting mill rates to shield ratepayers from wild upswings in the real estate market,"
The study measures average increases in property tax bills for residential properties over the past five years across the province. From 2001 to 2005 tax bills for homeowners have increased at impressive rates, ranging from 7 to 67 per cent depending on the area.
"The current system is unfair, unpredictable and unstable. The CTF is recommending the provincial government implement a property tax cap. Property tax bill increases would be limited to the consumer price index (CPI) and any increases beyond that rate would require local voter approval. Taxpayers deserve certainty in their tax bills."
The report is based upon data collected from BC Assessment Authority and the municipal tax rates published by the Ministry of Community Services. The report details 60 of the province's 154 municipalities and is presented in six geographic regions. Appendices breakout each year 2001-2005 for each municipality. Details for municipalities not presented in the report can be obtained by contacting the CTF's BC office.
The CTF's study also points out that municipal tax revenue is up 44% between 2001-2004. "Spend-thrift municipal governments should not be let off the hook," added MacIntyre. The CTF recommends local cost saving measures including Alternative Service Delivery, P3s, privatization and greater use of user-based fee application for services like water and garbage collection. Finally, the province's Community Charter should be amended to mandate consultation of financial plans, value for money audits and local initiative and referenda provisions.
Over the next few months the CTF will be meeting with provincial ministers and stakeholders to build support for its recommendations.
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