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City of Toronto
REPORT No. 3
OF THE YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
(from its meeting on March 9, 1998,
submitted by Councillor Bill Saundercook, Chair)
As Considered by
The Council of the City of Toronto
on April 16, 1998
1
Increase in Property Tax Assessment
(City Council on April 16, 1998, adopted this Clause, without amendment.)
The York Community Council expresses its unanimous opposition to the provincial
government's changes to the taxation system and the downloading of services to the
City of Toronto; and recommends to City Council the endorsement of the placement of
petition forms in all City of Toronto libraries, Civic Centres and City-owned buildings, for
members of the public to register their opposition to these changes.
The Community Council reports, for the information of City Council, having recommended to the
Budget Committee that:
(1) the Commissioner of Finance be requested to report on the feasibility of sending out a
separate property tax notice that clearly indicates to businesses the percentage of the property
tax that is the direct result of the new provincial tax changes;
(2) the Commissioner of Finance be requested to also report on setting a new tax classification
for all provincial buildings and land located in the City of Toronto, with the appropriate tax
rate set for these properties to reflect the extra charges faced by Toronto businesses as a
result of the Education Business Tax; and
(3) public information meetings be held, appropriately advertised in the ridings of every
Conservative MPP in the City of Toronto, to inform the public of the impact of the provincial
tax changes, and that each MPP be invited to participate in these meetings.
The Community Council further reports for information, having invited all the commercial and
residential property owners present at this Special Meeting of March 9, 1998, to attend at Metro Hall
with their tax bills to voice their concerns to members of Council.
The York Community Council submits the following motions:
Motion by Councillor Nunziata:
WHEREAS the downloading of provincial services and costs on to the City of
Toronto, the lack of fair Education Business Tax for the City of Toronto, and the
changes in assessment, will undermine the economic stability of the York community
and create hardship to many businesses and homeowners across Toronto; and
WHEREAS ninety percent of businesses cite property taxes as the key factor in their
location decision, and as a result of increased taxes, many York community
businesses will either be closing or relocating outside of the City;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the York Community Council recommend
to the Budget Committee that:
(1) the Commissioner of Finance be requested to report on the feasibility
of sending out a separate property tax notice that clearly indicates to
businesses the percentage of the property tax that is the direct result
of the new provincial tax changes;
(2) the Commissioner of Finance be requested to also report on setting a
new tax classification for all provincial buildings and land located in
the City of Toronto, with the appropriate tax rate set for these
properties to reflect the extra charges faced by Toronto businesses as
a result of the Education Business Tax; and
(3) public information meetings be held, appropriately advertised in the
ridings of every Conservative MPP in the City of Toronto, to inform
the public of the impact of the provincial tax changes, and that each
MPP be invited to participate in these meetings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the York Community Council express its
unanimous opposition to the provincial government's changes to the taxation system
and the downloading of services; and recommend to City Council the endorsement
of the placement of petition forms in all City libraries, Civic Centres, and City-owned
buildings, for members of the public to register their opposition to these changes.
Motion by Councillor Davis:
THAT all the commercial and residential property owners present at this Special
Meeting of March 9, 1998, be invited to attend at Metro Hall with their tax bills to
voice their concerns to members of Council.
The following persons appeared before the Community Council and made submissions with regard
to the increase in assessment for residential, commercial and industrial properties:
- Mr. Peter Viducis, City of Toronto, Economic Development Division; and made a verbal presentation with respect to property assessment;
- Mr. Joseph Cordiano, MPP, Lawrence;
- Mr. Gerard Kennedy, MPP, York South;
- Ms. Charlcie Stickley, York Federation of Ratepayers;
- Ms. Marjorie Sutton, Mt. Dennis Ratepayers;
- Mr. Joe Brosky, Roseland Ratepayers;
- Mr. John Kiru, Weston Business Improvement Area;
- Mr. Barry Lowe, Chair, Weston Business Improvement Area;
- Mr. Pat Rocca;
- Mr. George Burgess;
- Mr. Charles Sammut;
- Mr. Gord Burgess;
- Mr. Russ Brown;
- Mr. Sidney Fisher;
- Mr. Karl Stankov;
- Mr. Glenn Webster;
- Mr. Nick Solakos;
- Mr. Steve Tassos;
- Ms. Marie Critchlow;
- Mr. Ray Domian; and
- Mr. Dave Vaughan
Respectfully submitted,
BILL SAUNDERCOOK
Chair
Toronto, March 9, 1998
(Report No. 3 of The York Community Council, was adopted, without amendment, by City Council
on April 16, 1998.)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES
AND OTHER COMMITTEES
As Considered by
The Council of the City of Toronto
on April 16, 1998
YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORT No. 3
Clause Page
1 Increase in Property Tax Assessment 3118
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