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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 9, 2003
COUNCILLOR LEGENDRE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY IN TAXATION
OTTAWA – At today’s Council meeting, Councillor Legendre will ask
his colleagues to consider a simple mechanism intended to ensure
that all taxpayers be properly informed of the taxes which their
municipal government asks of them.
Currently, tenants ‘pay no municipal taxes’ – at least, not
directly. They, of course, pay their taxes through their monthly
rent. The result is a covert tax. Tenants have little ability to
gauge if they are paying their fair share because they are not
apprised of the amount of their contribution to municipal coffers.
It is a fundamental principle that there be no ‘taxation without’
representation. It would seem equally fundamental that there be no
taxation without information. “Covert taxation is unfair,” says
Legendre.
Taxes are unpleasant facts of life. That being the case, taxes
should be,
1. at most, sufficient to meet the public good, (that is, as low
as possible),
2. equitable (that is, the burden should be shared fairly), and,
3. transparent (that is, citizens should know what and to whom
they are contributing).
The mechanism, which Councillor Legendre is suggesting, builds on
what other cities (e.g. Paris) currently do. Residents in that
City, including tenants, receive, once a year, from the municipal
authorities, a bill that shows very clearly their contribution to
their “ward” ( arrondissement ), their City ( Paris ) and their
“region” ( Île de France ). It also shows quite clearly if the tax
rates have changed from the previous year. Councillor Legendre
will ask Council to instruct staff to examine how a similar system
could be introduced and whether any changes to the City of Ottawa
Act would be necessary.
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