Sask property taxes continue to soar
Author:
David Maclean
2003/04/22
REGINA: Information acquired from the Saskatchewan government by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reveals that property taxes continued to soar in 2002, far outstripping Saskatchewan's 12 per cent rate of inflation since 1997.
Total property taxes (including municipal and school taxes) for cities increased by 15 per cent ($71 million) since 1997.
Total property tax bills (including municipal and school taxes) increased by 20 per cent since 1997 ($191,728,635).
Total property taxes (including municipal and school taxes) for rural municipalities increased by 28 per cent ($98,759,106) since 1997.
Total property taxes (including municipal and school taxes) for agricultural land increased by 19 per cent.
School taxes on agricultural land increased by 26 per cent ($34,064,967) since 1997.
"Property taxes are going through the roof in Saskatchewan, while the number of people remaining to pick up the tab continues to drop," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David MacLean. "The most alarming trend continues to be the fact that rural people are the hardest hit by this tax spike - and they're the least able to afford it."
"It's crystal clear that whatever moves the province has made toward income tax relief in Saskatchewan are nullified by this enormous property tax grab," said MacLean.
The CTF has presented three petitions with a total of 31,352 taxpayers' names to Premier Calvert, demanding a significant decrease in school taxes. Property taxes fund 59% of education costs in Saskatchewan, compared to the average of 26% for all provinces. The next heaviest burden is in Manitoba, where 51% of education is paid for by property taxes, while in New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland education is funded entirely by the province from general revenues.
"Since 1997 the total property tax take has risen 64 per cent faster than inflation," said MacLean. "All the while, our best and brightest have left the province for provinces with more competitive tax systems. This problem needs to be addressed immediately."
"While our property tax bills continue to grow each year, our municipal services continue to decline," said MacLean. "There's a serious disconnect here. All levels of government should be held to account for their inability to hold the line at budget time."