WINNIPEG: A 17-city survey of property taxes and utility charges finds Winnipeg neck-and-neck with Toronto as the most costly city to keep a home in Canada in 1999.

According to the City of Edmonton survey, a combination of property taxes and utility charges are $3,824 in Toronto and $3,820 in Winnipeg for an average single-family house. The house is defined as a 1 to 15 year old detached three-bedroom bungalow with a main floor area of 1,200 square feet and having a one-car garage.

Low telephone and electricity charges in Winnipeg are offset by the highest water and sewage rates in the country. "Water and sewage breaks for Schneider and 29 other businesses translates into unjustifiable higher rates for other Winnipeg businesses and homeowners who must now pick up the slack to maintain utility services," noted Victor Vrsnik, CTF provincial director. "To keep our heads above water, the utility rates must settle at a competitive level."

Other highlights from the "1999 Residential Property Taxes and Utility Charges Survey":

Winnipeg's total property tax for the average single family house of $2,553 (including municipal and school taxes) ranked the third most expensive after Toronto and Montreal.

If school taxes and credits are excluded, Winnipeg's municipal tax of $1,485 ranks fifth highest.

Winnipeg's school taxes (excluding the provincial $250 credit) of $1,318 ranks the highest in the land. With the credit Winnipeg ranks second highest.

Winnipeg's average annual property tax increase between 1994 - 1999 was 2.11%

Winnipeg's average monthly utility charge (including telephone, electricity and water and sewage) of $105.61, was fourth highest after Red Deer, Lethbridge, St. John and Fredericton.

Winnipeg's annual total property tax and utility charge of $3,820 was second highest after Toronto at $3,824.

The Mayor's projected two per cent tax cut ($40 saving for an average house) for next year is welcome relief for Winnipeg homeowners but falls short of an economic policy that will improve the city's competitive position vis-à-vis other Canadian centres," cautioned Vrsnik.