We asked, Durham Region is on course to raise taxes by 4.8 per cent. Is this a reasonable increase? Is it too much? Why or why not?
Not Reasonable. 1. The average inflation rate is around 2 per cent. 2. The average income increase for a big majority is less than 2 per cent. 3. People on fixed income, including retired seniors and low-income families, are forced into poverty and losing the roof over their head. 4. Property assessment by MPAC is unfair, and the artificially inflated property values pushed by the real estate industry multiply the burdens of property taxes. 5. Mismanagement of tax-base municipal funds will reciprocate us into cycles of perpetual poverty. 6. England and Ireland have eliminated property taxes to fund municipal services. Instead they get funding from the general national revenue.
-- Omeed Neekon, Whitby
We pay too much in taxes! Ever since I moved to Durham my tax increases have been too high - 8 to 11 percent for years, combined Durham/Clarington tax. Toronto complains about three per cent. Are they trying to drive us away? I’ve been here 13 years. Combined with Fair Market Assessment increases through MPAC, which aren’t fair at all, we pay too much. We need to attract businesses to help pay a portion of these Clarington taxes.
-- Dawn Chaffe, Clarington
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