A northern Ontario think tank is developing a report looking into complaints of high property taxes for a Thunder Bay man’s Schrieber mother.
The head of the Northern Policy Institute, Charles Cirtwell, notes it includes gathering information that considers the size of the population base, especially in smaller northern communities.
“Suddenly one or two houses sell, and maybe someone pays a little more than they should, does that have an impact in an untoward way to the value of some of the other houses around?”
The NPI President adds the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation could also look into how it makes tax adjustments on each property.
He’s also watching changing property values, pointing out Keith Scott admits past adjustments on his Schreiber mother’s home were under-assessed.
“So, if it was under-assessed by 100, or 200%, then all of a sudden you’re talking about the other 3/4 being the increased value since that under-assessment.”
The Institute President adds he’s sat on tribunals before, noting an 800% property tax increase isn’t that uncommon.
And, he points out groups like MPAC know the number of homes in a certain area can affect price.
“That’s one of the things that for our perspective, as a policy institute, is kinda look at this question and say ‘Should MPAC have a different approach for smaller communities, and do they already?'”.
The NPI president adds if the sale a home affects the taxes of others, groups like MPAC should re-consider their approach.
