Data compiled by the team at investigation office Several hundred municipalities show that many Quebec towns and villages have no hesitation in imposing tax increases that outpace inflation. The newspaper met with citizens and mayors of these cities who expressed their point of view.
Lac-Saint-Joseph residents were surprised to see a nearly 11% tax hike.
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The village has around 350 apartments and no businesses. The 10.8% increase may seem sudden, given that there has been no increase in the past eight years.
Resident Martine Lehoux was a little “surprised” when she received her latest bill, which skyrocketed to $300, although she expected the increase due to the recent construction of a garage on his property.
She wants to ask to “have explanations” but agrees that the citizens “weren’t heavily taxed”. This is explained by the fact that the municipality does not offer many services: all residents have an artesian well and a septic tank.
For entrepreneur Louis Garneau, also based in Lac-Saint-Joseph, “it’s a lot [la hausse]but it’s a small amount, reasonable for a city with no services.”
Photo from the Lac-Saint-Joseph Parish website
Yvan Côté, Mayor of Lac Saint Joseph
In December, the municipality’s general manager, Viviane Viviers, advised the Journal that many wealthy citizens have the means to absorb such an increase.
A misleading percentage
The mayor, Yvan Côté, points out that the percentage is misleading as the increase is calculated on a small amount. It equals 4 cents of the $100 valuation. The community will rake in approximately $200,000 from this flat tire.
“We have the lowest tax rate of all municipalities.”
Mr. Côté explains that the decision to increase the tax was taken, among other things, because of inflation, the fall in home sales, the reduction in real estate transfer taxes, a staff turnover that entailed additional costs and the increase in the various quotas.
“Maybe in the future we’ll think about making smaller increases periodically depending on the rate of inflation.”
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