Tax Rates

The real City tax increase in 2011 is 2.9%.

All Properties - The Capital works base tax had been increased by $10 from $100.00 to $110.00 per property targeted towards capital improvements in core services such as arterial roads, sidewalks, drainage, traffic control and intersections.

Residential - The Fire/Police base tax increase of $35 provides for the 2.4% budgeted tax increase so there is no change in the mill rate.  When including the increase in the Capital Works base tax (because there are 10x more residential than commercial properties) the combined residential tax increase is 3.1%.

Multi-Unit - Significant changes were made in 2010 to treat multi-units the same as residential.  Previously this sector was charged the commercial tax rate and base taxes did not apply to them.  This change in tax policy created some significant shifts within the sector and changes were phased in over 2 years.  In 2011 the phase-in is complete and the existing base taxes will apply to every residential self-contained dwelling or unit.  Apartments and 4 plex's will bay a base tax per suite, the same as condominium and single residential properties.

Commercial - Collectively this sector will experience a tax increase of 2.5%.  The objective of maintaining an effective tax rate where commercial pays 2x more than residential is the same.

*  The province has set up a tiered mill rate system for commercial and like properties.  Properties are taxed at 12.25 mills on the first $499,999 of assessment, 14.75 mills on $500,000 to $6,000,000, and 18.55 mills for any assessment greater than $6,000,000.