Markham hikes taxes 3.46%, argues Toronto should axe road tolls

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 14, 2016
By Amanda Persico

Markham council approved its budget for 2017, which brings a 3.46-per-cent tax rate increase over last year.

The approved tax rate increase adds about $38 on a home valued at $586,000.

Based on the average home value, taxpayers can also expect about $181 in additional taxes in 2017 - $67 from the region’s proposed tax increase, $47 for Markham’s stormwater fee and $30 from the city’s increase in water and wastewater fees.

The 2017 budget is $443.34 million, which includes $201.8 million in operating costs, $121.2 million in waterworks, $81.5 million in capital projects and $13.6 million in library.

Some of the projects proposed for 2017 include 92 acres of new parkland, rail crossing upgrades for the anti-whistle program and expansion of the city’s multi-use pathways.

Unionville resident Peter Miasek praised council for its responsible budget, setting aside funds for issues such as the fight against emerald ash borer, rising hydro rates, inflation, storm water management and accessibility requirements.

“Those are beyond Markham’s control and yet Markham has to budget for them,” said Miasek, who is also the president of Transport Action Ontario, an organization dedicated to sustainable transportation.

“To see this is sound financial planning, just look at the shenanigans down in Toronto.”

The debate soon turned to what’s happening south of Steeles Avenue.

“We have no other choice to get the revenue to provide services,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said during this week’s council meeting to approve the budget.

“There’s frustration in my voice, because Toronto operates under different rules and has different tools to collect revenue.”

Scarpitti urged the province to give municipalities the same tools to boost public coffers as Toronto has, such as land transfer tax, high commercial and industrial tax and road tolls.

“We may be a smaller municipality, but our problems are just as complex as (Toronto’s). Life in the GTA is more complex, no matter what municipality,” Scarpitti said. “Toronto should raise money from their taxpayers, not from the 905, to pay for their projects. That’s what people should be upset about.”

There's also the one-time funding often awarded to Toronto, Councillor Don Hamilton said.

“We have a prudent, financially responsible budget year after year and we get screwed,” said Hamilton, who voted against the tax rate and water rate increases.

“But they are in big trouble, so, they get the funding.”

Councillors Colin Campbell and Karen Rea and Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong also voted against the increases.