Education property tax rebate hurts Fort Garry
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This article was published 30/04/2021 (763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
We have recently learned more about the Pallister government’s plan regarding the education property tax rebate, and such plans should raise concerns for Fort Garry residents and all Manitobans.
The government originally planned to phase out the property tax rebate over 10 years, but its new plan will phase it out in just four years. The 25 per cent rebate, which will be available to property owners across the province, fails to take into account the ability to pay and thus poses the highest benefits to the wealthiest property owners.
For example, in Winnipeg, where the average property owner pays approximately $1,500 in education property taxes, taxpayers will be issued a $375 rebate. Meanwhile, a property owner who pays $16,000 per year in education property tax will receive a rebate of $4,000. The clear winners of this plan are the wealthiest property owners. This is the opposite of a progressive tax policy.
The Pallister government’s plan also negatively impacts renters. At present, renters are entitled to a $700 tax credit each year,but this will be phased out as a result of the current plan. In Fort Garry, many constituents are renters, and folks have relied on this tax credit to offset living costs each year. Why is the Pallister government so intent on lining the pockets of wealthy property owners, while taking away a credit that benefits Manitoba renters?
Many small business owners in Fort Garry also often rent the spaces in which they operate. As a result of the Pallister government’s plan, landlords who own their buildings will be able to cash in on their rebates, while small business owners will gain nothing.
The Pallister government has long fancied itself a group of sound fiscal managers. Their new plans will see them borrowing over $1.5 billion during a pandemic to fund tax cuts. These tax cuts will benefit wealthy property owners across the province, while renters lose out on an important benefit.
Our Opposition caucus does not support a plan that leaves renters behind and favours the wealthy, and we will continue to advocate for progressive tax policies and benefits that will actually help Manitoban communities grow, not hinder them.
As always, if you would like to share your concerns on this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 204-421-4241 or mark.wasyliw@yourmanitoba.ca
Mark Wasyliw
Fort Garry constituency report
Mark Wasyliw is the NDP MLA for Fort Garry.