• RM of Macdonald, La Salle most affordable jurisdiction in the Capital Region
• Winnipeg's property tax woes continue

Tax and User Fee Report

WINNIPEG: At a press conference today, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released the results of its 2005 Capital Region Property Tax and Utility Charges Survey. This year's survey tracked the basic living cost for residential property owners in the twelve municipalities of the Capital Region, and for the fourth year in a row, Winnipeg is the least affordable community to live. "If you are in the housing market and want a better deal on property taxes, then the RM of Macdonald (La Salle) is your best bet," stated CTF provincial director Adrienne Batra.

The 2005 Capital Region Property Tax and Utility Charges Survey compares residential property taxes for a house assessed at $100,000 between 2000 and 2005. This year's survey breaks down the year to year fluctuation of property taxes. The survey also breaks down residential property taxes into three components: general municipal tax, the provincial education support levy and the special school levy.

The CTF's survey results show a marginal decline in property tax rates across the Capital Region, but much of that can be attributed to the reduction in the province's Education Support Levy, which should be completely phased out in the next two years. "Although Winnipeg has frozen the mill rate this year, overall assessments are up by 23 per cent, which will lead to higher property tax bills next year," added Batra.

"The CTF's survey should serve as a wake-up call for city councilors to rationalize spending, the consequences of not doing so will result in more people looking for a better deal outside of the Perimeter Highway," Batra concluded.

Findings

Residential Property Taxes

• Winnipeg's total residential property tax of $2,836, including municipal and school taxes for a house assessed at $100,000 ranked the highest among the eleven municipalities surveyed in 2005. The RM of Macdonald, La Salle charged the lowest tax levy at $1,760. Winnipeg's total tax was $827 higher than the Region average of $2,009.

Utility Charges

• Winnipeg's total average annual utility charges of $2,311 for a single-family house ranked the tenth highest in the Capital Region. The RM of Tache, Lorette posted the lowest utility charges at $1,789 while the RM of Cartier, Elie had the highest charges at $2,508. Winnipeg's total utility charges were $179 higher than the Region average of $2,132.

Combined Residential Property Tax and Utility Charges

• Winnipeg's combined cost of annual property taxes and utility charges at $5,147 for a single-family house assessed at $100,000 ranked the highest among the eleven municipalities surveyed. The RM of Macdonald, La Salle had the lowest combined cost at $3,308. Winnipeg's total combined cost was $1,095 higher than the Region average of $4,052.