|
City of Toronto Act / Proposed new taxes
|
View this Thread in Original format
| Swamper |
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_10743.aspx
| quote: | City Wants Your Input On New Taxes
Monday May 7, 2007
Road tolls. Taxes on alcohol. Levies on movie and Leaf tickets. Extra funds to buy some cigarettes. Welcome to the Toronto of the not-so-distant future, where if it's fun or necessary, the politicians will have their palms out waiting to collect money from you. By now you know about the City of Toronto Act, which gives councillors the chance to make up for lost revenue by imposing additional taxes.
The powers-that-be already know you won't want to pay more for the privilege of doing what you've long been able to do for free. But they also claim the province hasn't lived up to its own obligations and the city faces potential bankruptcy unless there are new revenue streams.
At least you'll get a chance to tell those in charge what you think - and you won't have to wait until the next election. The city is holding a series of forums over the next few weeks to allow you to have your say, the first of which took place on Monday night.
As many expected, reaction to the idea of forking out more money was largely negative.
"What I heard in that meeting was 'no new taxes.' This should not be taking place," said Von Polmer of the Toronto Real Estate Board.
Don Valley East Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, believes that no matter how much vocal opposition is raised, the City won't listen. "The way the questions are formatted and the way they're being positioned is basically that this is a fait accompli which is really disappointing to the public who came here to have their voices heard," he said.
Budget Chief Shelley Carroll believes it's a two-way street, and that taxpayers ultimately benefit. She had a stern message for those who opposed the plan. "Well as a Budget Chief I've got to say to them, then you got to stop asking me for more service," she remarked.
Bar owners have already let it be known another alcohol tax will be enough to drive their patrons to drink - though they won't be able to afford the glasses or the tolls to reach the establishments. "Any new taxes threaten the viability of Toronto's bar and restaurant industry," warns Stephanie Jones of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association in a statement. "Toronto should be encouraging a vibrant, growing hospitality industry. Instead the city is placing its fiscal woes squarely on the backs of these small businesses."
Here's where and when you can get your two cents in. You're allowed to email your comments, but to speak your mind at one of the three remaining forums, you must register in advance before heading towards the mic.
The new levies could be in place by July. |
Summary of proposed new taxes/fees
Detailed Info on proposed new taxes/fees
After reading all this, I'm going with some of the options mentioned and guessing they'll do this:
Vehicle Registration Tax - $40/year
Property Transfer Tax - 0.5%
Alcohol Tax (Store Sales) - 5%
Parking Lot Operator Tax - $100 per stall/year
Cigarette Tax - 5%
Amusement/Movies Tax - 5%
Billboard Tax |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
| NYC has had this for years - it's probably a good idea for Toronto. |
|
|
| Orko |
The tax streams which made most sense to me, were the ones which taxed people who do not live in the city, who use it for play/work.
These taxes which would grow with population are a smart idea as well. I'm glad the only one of these which applies to me is the tax on alcohol. |
|
|
| patpicos |
arent the following handled at the provincial level?
Vehicle Registration Tax - $40/year
Alcohol Tax (Store Sales) - 5%
Cigarette Tax - 5%
TO should focus on cutting expenses instead of ripping its population at every occasion they have.
Also, the reports cited above only make comparison with US cities...we should compare against other canadian cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton. |
|
|
| StereoPrincess |
| must register car now! |
|
|
| Orko |
The city got some input last night:
| quote: |
Chorus of boos greets Toronto fee proposal
JENNIFER LEWINGTON
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
May 8, 2007 at 4:38 AM EDT
A hostile audience, many angrily opposed to additional city taxes, grilled Toronto officials last night over possible new fees and levies that could be approved by July.
At last night's raucous meeting, the first of four this month to test public reaction to eight possible new taxes, small-business owners and anti-tax advocates gave an unequivocal thumbs-down to the "revenue tools" to be debated by council's executive next month and by full council in July.
"There's no discussion about how the city can spend less," said Kevin Gaudet, Ontario communications director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, jumping up just as the meeting got under way.
Others in the audience of about 100 people quickly chimed in and forced city officials to change the format to allow for questions from the floor. Many of them focused on perceived "perks," including free golf and transit passes for city councillors, as evidence the city should tighten its belt before considering new taxes on households and businesses.
"How can you stand here and want new taxes?" asked Steve Mastoras, owner of Whistlers restaurant and a former East York councillor. "You can't get your own house in fiscal order."
The city's power to levy new taxes took effect last Jan. 1 after the passage of a provincial law giving Toronto more freedom to make its own decisions.
The right to set new taxes, which would generate money to pay for existing and new local services, was a key element in the City of Toronto Act.
Earlier this year, the city identified eight possible fees and taxes, but put off a decision to hear from the public before making a decision.
Some of the proposed "revenue tools" ignite controversy, such as road tolls (already ruled out by Mayor David Miller) or extra fees to attend a movie or a live concert.
However, the first taxes to be imposed will likely be the simplest to administer.
Three meet that yardstick: motor-vehicle registration, land-transfer taxes and an extra charge on wine and beer sold at the LCBO, the Beer Store and private wine stores.
"I don't think we can afford to do all eight," budget chief Shelley Carroll said before the meeting. She pledged that new revenues would go to pay for local services residents want.
Mr. Miller, who did not attend last night's session but expects to be at one of the other three scheduled this month, defended the use of possible new taxes as good for the city's future.
"We need to diversify our tax base," he told reporters earlier in the day. "The city cannot exist and thrive solely on the backs of property taxpayers."
Senior governments in Canada (and some cities in other jurisdictions in the United States and Europe) have access to sales and income taxes, but Toronto depends on slow-growing property taxes for about 41 per cent of its revenue.
"Can you afford not to [invest]?" he added. "That is the question and the answer is no. If you want a city that is safe, you have to invest in young people and if you want a city where you can get around you have to invest in transit."
Glen Stone, a spokesman for the Toronto Board of Trade, which did not attend last night's meeting, said his group understands the city faces "very serious financial" pressures. "But we don't think the solution starts with new or increased taxes," he said.
...continue |
|
|
|
| endless_summer |
QUOTE]Originally posted by Orko
"The city cannot exist and thrive solely on the backs of property taxpayers." [/QUOTE]
I agree.
However what I am interested to find out is why is Toronto in this situation? What was so wrong with the budgets in the past years that the city had to spend the savings?
Where was the money spent? Everyone is talking about the budget but who has actually seen the budget and what is on it?
What I would like to see is the breakdown in % of where the money goes. |
|
|
| The Highroller |
| This will further burden my already meagre student budget. The city will definitely be hearing from me on this one. |
|
|
| Dark_Archonis |
| quote: | Originally posted by rabbitjoker
NYC has had this for years - it's probably a good idea for Toronto. |
*thumbs down* |
|
|
| MarkT |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
This will further burden my already meagre student budget. The city will definitely be hearing from me on this one. |
says the guy who's club budget isn't too shabby, lol.
and stop smoking, ya bum...that right there will save you more than these taxes will cost you. :P :toothless
(j/k...I think there are better revenue streams than the typical 'vices and vehicle' taxes). |
|
|
| slingshot |
| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
and stop smoking, ya bum...that right there will save you more than these taxes will cost you. :P :toothless
|
he hasn't smoked since around thanksgiving time...
yes, i am his spokesman. |
|
|
| miketg23 |
| quote: | Originally posted by devnull
Also, the reports cited above only make comparison with US cities...we should compare against other canadian cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton. |
There is no Canadian city that compares to the centre of the universe.... Is there? |
|
|
|
|
