Mike Mantha is looking to the provincial government to step in and help northern families facing high property tax assessments. The MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin says MPAC assessments are disproportionately increased in the north. He says Northerners already face high hydro rates, and use more hydro than the south because of a lack of access to natural gas. And now, he says some families are getting hit with huge property tax assessment bills.
Mantha says the assessments have doubled, or even tripled, in the past four years. He says some of the homes aren’t even connected to water, sewer, or garbage pick up services, and no northern realtor would value the properties as MPAC has assessed them. He says large industrial property owners have lawyers and experts who can help manage, and even challenge, the assessment. But, he says there are families who can’t afford lawyers, and they’re scared they won’t be able to pay their bills.
Mantha references one homeowner, who is a senior on a fixed income. He says their assessment has gone from under $80,000 to over $180,000.
Premier Kathleen Wynne says the province will be looking into the issue. She says the Minister of Finance will work with MPAC to look at why this is happening, and hopefully find a solution.
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