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MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Mississauga’s mayor is proposing a new tax on pavement.

Hazel McCallion says damage caused by flooding during a heavy rainstorm that hit the Greater Toronto Area in early July shows the Mississauga storm water system desperately needs upgrading.

The question is how to pay for it. McCallion says either all property taxpayers should carry the cost, or the properties where there is a lot of pavement should be hit with a surtax.

She gave the example of a shopping centre that has a huge parking lot, saying the pavement prevents the rain from being absorbed into the earth, so it runs off into the sewers.

It’s the same for homeowners who decide to put more pavement on their properties — to expand a driveway, for example.

Mississauga city staff are working out the details on how to apportion the charge but the proposed tax still must be approved by council.