Saskatchewan’s REALTORS® say Saskatchewan people are open to new ideas to pay for municipal services, and they’re asking political parties to come on side.
Citing a recent province-wide survey, REALTOR® spokesperson Bill Madder said 79.3% of respondents are ready to consider concepts that would reduce reliance on property tax such as putting water and sewer services on a self-funding basis like electricity and natural gas.
Source: Praxis Analytics Inc. September 2011
Innovation in services funding would introduce more transparency and accountability into local finances, and begin to move costs away from the general tax base.
He said it is important to explore ways to reduce reliance on property taxes and begin to roll them back just as other capital taxes have been reduced.
“Property taxes reduce the amount of monthly payments that can go toward principal, making housing less affordable.”
Mr. Madder also noted that 72.2% of Saskatchewan people are ready to consider changing property taxes so improvement to property would not bring a rise in taxes.
Upgrades to existing housing could help meet the demand for affordable rental units, but the property tax penalizes improvements and eventually forces lower-cost housing off the market.
REALTORS® say their survey shows Saskatchewan people are moving past old ideas and are ready to welcome changes more in tune with the new environment in this province. They want the government that will be elected on November 7 to realize the province is ready for innovation and come into office prepared to respond.
INFORMATION: Bill Madder, 220-9570
Survey report details are available online at
ASR Housing Matters Survey2011
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