EN FR

Vacant retail spaces: Montreal misses the mark says Taxpayers Federation

Author: 2020/05/07

MONTRÉAL, QC : The Canadian Taxpayers Federation condemns the Plante-Dorais administration’s response to the problem of vacant retail spaces on Montreal’s shopping streets.

“Retailers are not closing because of the ratio of residential to commercial taxes,” said CTF Quebec Director Renaud Brossard. “Retailers are closing because their tax bills are too high.”

According to a Segma Recherche survey commissioned by the City of Montreal, the number one solution favoured by retailers to solve the issue with vacant retail spaces is to reduce or freeze commercial taxes.

Out of the 11 recommendations retained by the Commission sur le développement économique et urbain et de l’habitation, only one addresses the issue of commercial taxation. It is recommending to reduce the ratio of commercial to residential property taxes.

“Retailers have been very clear: they need lower taxes to stay in business,” added Brossard. “Unfortunately, it seems the Plante-Dorais administration prefers to protect its budgets rather than save our local businesses.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation presented a report during the consultations on vacant retail spaces taking place last January.

-30-


A Note for our Readers:

Is Canada Off Track?

Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.

Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?

You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey


Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter


You deserve to know the real story about what happens to your tax dollars. We expose funny and infuriating stories about governments wasting money on stupid things. And we hold politicians accountable because taxpayers deserve transparency.

You can get the inside scoop right from my notebook each week so you can hold politicians accountable for hilarious and infuriating stories the media usually misses. You can sign up for the Taxpayer Update Newsletter now.
— Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director

Looks good!
Please enter a valid email address

We take data security and privacy seriously. Your information will be kept safe.

<