WHEREAS municipalities currently have the autonomy and right to set business taxes; AND WHEREAS residential home owners are being subjected to increased tax burdens: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM oppose any recommendations that would take away the current taxing authorities from local government.
Ministry of Finance The Minister of Finance appointed an Expert Panel on Business Taxation, which was tasked with generating ideas and providing recommendations for a business taxation system that balances the principles of competitiveness, fairness and simplicity. The review included an examination of municipal property taxation of business and its impact on business competitiveness and investment. The guidelines for the Panel stated that recommendations must address issues of affordability and sustainability for local governments within the framework of the Community Charter. Interested individuals and organizations, including UBCM and local governments, were able to make submissions to the Panel for consideration as part of this review. In accordance with the Community Charter, the relationship between local governments and the Province is built on the principle that consultation is needed on matters of mutual interest.