Property taxes must be fair: NDP

TORONTO – In response to the Toronto Star’s alarming investigation into the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) property tax assessment process, Ontario NDP MPP and housing critic Jessica Bell (University— Rosedale) released the following statement:

“I fear that MPAC’s property tax assessments could be an unfair tax on working-class and middle-income households. This practice is discriminatory, plain and simple.

I am troubled by these findings.

MPAC and the Ford Conservatives must investigate the allegations of tax discrimination favouring the wealthy at the expense of working- and middle-class homeowners and make changes immediately.

Every single property taxpayer expects MPAC to provide a fair, accurate, and transparent assessment of property values, not operate like a secretive black box.

Every single taxpayer should be able to appeal their assessment in a fair, fast and affordable manner - the tribunal can't be so cumbersome that only those with means bother to contest their tax bill.”

The Ontario NDP calls for a fairer property tax system, where municipalities can shift more of the tax burden onto properties worth more than $2 million.