Small-Town Residents See Property Taxes Double Under Pallisters Tax Change

March 4, 2019

WINNIPEG - A major change by the Pallister Government to Manitoba's Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC) has resulted in huge increases in property taxes for some residents in smaller communities.

"The Pallister government has stripped away protections from low-income seniors and people living in modest homes, and is socking them with a massive tax bill," said Manitoba Liberal Leader and MLA for St. Boniface, Dougald Lamont. "The PCs delayed the BITSA bill and pushed the changes through which limited opposition debate on the issue."

The Pallister Government's 2018 budget altered the seniors education property tax credit. The change came into effect on January 1, 2019. The people being hit hardest are those who live in small communities in houses worth less than $60,000.

Last November, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities passed a motion warning of the impact of the change, but it was ignored.

In the community of Rossburn, based on last year's municipality tax roll, 90% of primary residents are affected. The average increase in taxes for 2019, based on 2018, will be $282.97. Eighteen homes will experience an increase of more than $500.00 and another 48 homes will see an increase between $400 and $500.

The total additional yearly tax burden to Rossburn residents amounts to $87,437.40 (approx. for 2019), a significant blow to residents and local businesses they support. If you calculate that amount over 10 years, it amounts to at least $877,000 taken out of the local economy.

"This is another example of the Pallister government deliberately making life harder for Manitobans and choking off growth in communities across our province," said Lamont.

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