March 26, 1998

     To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

 From:City Clerk

 Subject:Resolution - Business Education Tax Rates in Ontario

 Recommendation:

 The Assessment and Tax Policy Task Force on March 23, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee and Council, that the resolution contained in the communication (March 5, 1998) from the Regional Chairman, The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, be endorsed.

 Background:

 The Assessment and Tax Policy Task Force had before it a communication (March 5, 1998) from the Regional Chairman, The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, requesting the City of Toronto to endorse a resolution passed by the Regional Council at its special meeting of February 19, 1998, strongly urging the Province of Ontario to:

 (i) set a single uniform education tax rate for businesses across the province;

(ii)phase in the decrease to businesses, in the 47 municipalities which have a higher than average tax rate, over a five-year period; and

(iii)provide the funding.

City Clerk

 Ina Robinson/

 Item No. 6

 Attachment