Toronto, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on all Toronto mayoral candidates to commit to controlling spending and keeping property tax increases below the rate of inflation ahead of June’s special election.

“The last thing Toronto taxpayers need right now is to be pummeled with higher taxes,” said CTF Ontario Director Jay Goldberg. “Torontonians are facing soaring food and living costs. Government needs to tighten its belt instead of asking taxpayers to further tighten theirs.”

Toronto taxpayers face some of the highest property tax bills in Ontario in terms of total cost. As former mayor John Tory’s property tax hikes kick in this year, the average Toronto homeowner is facing a property tax bill of $3,569.

Some candidates are already calling for tax hikes above and beyond former Tory’s plan. Tory’s 2023 budget saw tax increases above the rate of inflation. Under Tory’s watch, city spending increased from $9.6 billion in 2014 to $16.1 billion in 2023. Meanwhile, city revenue increased by 68 per cent.

“Spending soared under Tory’s watch, and so did taxes,” said Goldberg. “Toronto City Hall has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Candidates need to commit to keeping taxes affordable and doing more to constrain government spending. They could start by ending Tory’s wasteful $300 million commitment to host a handful of World Cup games in 2026.”