Comments on: More Property Tax or Higher User Fees? http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/ Everything to do with thickening your wallet Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Vinnie http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/comment-page-1/#comment-7796 Vinnie Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:25:01 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/#comment-7796 Why do we whine about how Toronto is treated unfairly? If Mayor Miller wanted to do something, he would start a Toronto political party; one that looks after the interests of Torontonians. Look at what the Bloc Quebecois have been able to accomplish for Quebec... they were even the "Loyal Opposition” at one point. I would name the party the “Block Toronto”; this is a good name because this is what the rest of Canada and Ontario usually try to do anyway. Assuming the party could win all 22 seats (federal and provincial), it could hold the balance of power in any monetary debate. And just in case this appears to be divisive, selfish and un-Canadian, please remember what some politicians were saying during the oil crises of 1973. Google the phrase “let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark” and you’ll see what I mean. Besides, if they didn’t do what they were elected for, just like the other parties who “represent” our interests, we could call them “block-heads.” Why do we whine about how Toronto is treated unfairly? If Mayor Miller wanted to do something, he would start a Toronto political party; one that looks after the interests of Torontonians. Look at what the Bloc Quebecois have been able to accomplish for Quebec… they were even the “Loyal Opposition” at one point. I would name the party the “Block Toronto”; this is a good name because this is what the rest of Canada and Ontario usually try to do anyway. Assuming the party could win all 22 seats (federal and provincial), it could hold the balance of power in any monetary debate. And just in case this appears to be divisive, selfish and un-Canadian, please remember what some politicians were saying during the oil crises of 1973. Google the phrase “let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark” and you’ll see what I mean. Besides, if they didn’t do what they were elected for, just like the other parties who “represent” our interests, we could call them “block-heads.”

]]> By: Riscario Insider http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/comment-page-1/#comment-7647 Riscario Insider Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:19:55 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/#comment-7647 As Paolo and TMW point out, Toronto is not being treated fairly. Yet it doesn't seem that much will change. I'd pick choice #1 as being the best of the worst, especially if children and seniors can be protected. As Paolo and TMW point out, Toronto is not being treated fairly. Yet it doesn’t seem that much will change. I’d pick choice #1 as being the best of the worst, especially if children and seniors can be protected.

]]> By: Paolo http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/comment-page-1/#comment-7623 Paolo Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:10:47 +0000 http://www.thickenmywallet.com/blog/wp/2008/02/29/more-property-tax-or-higher-user-fees/#comment-7623 The 5.5 mn figure you gave is the population of the GTA, as opposed to the city of Toronto, which is closer to 2.5 mn (amalgamated). One thing not mentioned is that Toronto has lower property taxes and user fees relative to the surrounding municipalities. Raising property taxes would bring it in line with others. The city is underfunded by the provincial and federal governments. The feds are responsible for immigration, yet when an immigrant comes to Toronto, the city is left with paying for the services. More money needs to come from these levels of government. Transit is way underfunded compared to other cities internationally. This is probably due to the underrepresentation of city ridings in the legislature relative to their populations compared to rural areas. Almalgamation probably ruined the city more than anything. In principle it was the right idea, provide savings through removal of duplication. But it was The 5.5 mn figure you gave is the population of the GTA, as opposed to the city of Toronto, which is closer to 2.5 mn (amalgamated).

One thing not mentioned is that Toronto has lower property taxes and user fees relative to the surrounding municipalities. Raising property taxes would bring it in line with others.

The city is underfunded by the provincial and federal governments. The feds are responsible for immigration, yet when an immigrant comes to Toronto, the city is left with paying for the services. More money needs to come from these levels of government. Transit is way underfunded compared to other cities internationally. This is probably due to the underrepresentation of city ridings in the legislature relative to their populations compared to rural areas.

Almalgamation probably ruined the city more than anything. In principle it was the right idea, provide savings through removal of duplication. But it was

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