The Property Tax is Dead: Long Live the Property Tax

FCPP Publications :: A Tax’s Time To Die::

"Canada lags behind Europe in casting out property taxes, not because property taxes in Canada are any less offensive but because of an accident of history. Our cities are creatures of the provinces, which long ago allowed municipalities the property tax and little else by way of funding. Although many provinces are urbanized, our electoral system gives rural ridings a disproportionate amount of power, which they use to maintain subsidies to rural lands. But change is coming to Canada's provinces, too, as urban population continues to swell and as the injustice of property taxation hits home. Some provinces have loosened their grips and others will be forced to, when opposition political parties recognize the electoral gains to be had."