Mantha demands Premier investigate exorbitant property tax assessments on northern homes

During Question Period today, Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, called on Premier Wynne to step in to help northern families whose property tax assessments have been disproportionately increased by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

“People in the North use more hydro because they lack access to natural gas. They also pay the highest hydro rates.  On top of this, now some northern families are getting hit with huge property tax assessments, with MPAC claiming that homes in places like Walkers Lake have somehow doubled or tripled in value in just the past four years,” Mantha said.  “I heard from one senior on a fixed income, whose property assessment has increased from under $80,000 to over $180,000. It doesn't make sense and she can't afford it.”

 

“Will the Premier investigate these large MPAC reassessments in the North?” Mantha said.

Mantha said Northern families cannot afford to defend themselves from MPAC’s unreasonable increases, and reiterated his call on the Premier to intervene on their behalf.

“These homes are not connected to municipal water or sewer services. These families have to drive their garbage to the dump.  No Northern realtor in their right mind would value these properties as MPAC has assessed them,” Mantha said.  “Large industrial property owners have lawyers and experts who can help challenge MPAC assessments. But these families are not wealthy, they can’t afford lawyers, and they are scared.”

“Will the government step in to help Northern families who have been hit with these huge and unfair MPAC assessments?”  Mantha said.