Property tax hikes in Mississauga 'toxic' for senior population

Mississauga Seniors' Council representative says seniors are fleeing the city because of rising tax rates

Mississauga.com
July 11, 2017
By Rachael Williams

Mississauga’s senior population can no longer afford to live in the city.

So says David MacLean, executive member of the Mississauga Seniors’ Council during the city’s first round of budget deliberations.

“Seniors in their 70s and 80s are being uprooted from the community, having to leave their homes, giving up their churches, doctors, family and friends ... ” stressed MacLean, who attributes the exodus to rising property taxes.

The proposed increase to the city’s portion of the property tax bill for 2018 is 5.6 per cent. When blended with the Region of Peel and the province’s portion for education, that’s a 3.08 per cent increase on residential property tax bills.

“Most seniors live on a fixed income. That situation is toxic. It’s unsustainable for seniors,” said MacLean.

Since 2011, the city portion of Mississauga’s tax bill has increased by the following: 5.9 per cent (2011); 7.4 per cent (2012); 7 per cent (2013); 6.1 per cent (2014); 4 per cent (2015); 4.9 per cent (2016) and 5.7 per cent (2017).

When blended, the average tax increase for Mississauga residents over the past 10 years has been 2.75 per cent.

City manager Janice Baker said these hikes include retrofitting the city to build in public transit, a $10 million grant to the University of Toronto Mississauga, $51 million to tackle the emerald ash borer and a two per cent capital infrastructure and debt repayment levy.

“We have been investing in city building. We have made some very strategic investments in public transit and infrastructure and that costs money,” noted Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

But for a senior living on a fixed income, annual increases to their insurance rates, hydro, the cost of home repairs, property tax hikes, plus the implementation of the stormwater charge are unmanageable.

“We want our seniors to age in place,” said MacLean.

Stats from the 2016 census shows the seniors’ population in Peel accounts for 12.8 per cent of the population — the lowest among regions and cities in Ontario.

Toronto’s seniors population is 15.6 per cent; Hamilton is 17.3 per cent; Halton sits at 14.9 per cent.

“Seniors are fleeing from Mississauga ... I would say the damage has been done,” remarked MacLean.

Coun. George Carlson suggested people aren't "fleeing" the city, but choosing to sell their houses, take a big payout and find smaller homes in quieter areas with less traffic.

In one year, property values in Mississauga have increased 27 per cent. According to the Mississauga Real Estate Board, the average price of homes sold in May 2017 was $760,645.

“But that doesn’t provide even one additional dollar to help them with their expenses,” said MacLean. “Seniors need a lifeline, they deserve a lifeline.”

Council has asked staff to find savings in the budget to ensure the 2018 tax increase is at or below two per cent.