Agenda
Provincial Land Tax Reform
Meeting
May 21st , 2008
Westgate High School Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thunder Bay District Unincorporated Ratepayers
Association (TBDURA)
Introductions Bill Pilot, Chairman Northern Light lake Local Roads Board
Richard Siegfried, President of Silver Islet Campers Association
Bruce Turner, Trustee Gorham Local Roads Board and Chairman East
Gorham Local Services Board
Guests invited Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern
Development and Mines
Bill Mauro, MPP
Mayor Lyn Peterson and councillors from the City of Thunder Bay
Mayor Anne Krassilowsky, Dryden and President of NOMA
What is TBDURA? A number of local roads boards and cottage associations have decided to join with TBDURA to help us collectively address the proposed provincial land tax (PLT) reforms. TDBURA was established a number of years ago with the aim to promote ongoing communication between the various boards, teams and associations in the unincorporated territories in the Thunder Bay District. TDBURA has offered their organization and website to help us in our goal of obtaining fair and equitable provincial land tax reform. We’re grateful for their offer.
Objective
of the Meeting
A) First we’re trying to get answers to the many questions we have on PLT and we’re specifically focussing on i) When and where will the promised public information sessions be, ii) What will the tax rates be and how will they be determined and iii) where will the taxes collected go and what services will be provided to the unincorporated taxpayers
B) Secondly to get organized and act collectively in dealing with the province and municipal governments. TDBURA can be one way of doing this collectively.
C) Thirdly to make sure our voices are heard and to establish a meaningful two way dialogue between the unincorporated ratepayers and the provincial government. Again TDBURA can be the voice of thousands of ratepayers from unincorporated areas
Provincial Land Tax and the proposed reforms
A) Background and history
B) Who does it apply to.
C) What changes have been made to the PLT legislation
D) What we don’t know and want answers to.
What have we done so far?
Meetings and history
What do we recommend?
A) Get organized. We suggest your LRB, cottage association or group join the TBDURA.
B) Get directly involved yourself, phone, write and/or email the Minister of Finance, Dwight Duncan, your MPP’s, your mayor and councillors. Letters and addresses have been provided for your convenience.
D) Stay in touch, please sign our guest register and leave your name, phone number, email address and your organization and position or your township or lake information. Also please visit the TBDURA website at www.tbdura.com
E) Help us financially. Please donate to help offset the costs we are incurring in fighting this battle. A few dollars from each of us goes a long way in covering advertising, stationary and mailing costs.
Guests
Any comments, news, updates, suggestions??
Question and comments from the floor.
Wrap up and what is next.
Second round public consultations (late summer 2008) by the Ministry of Finance on PLT. Dates, locations and times not yet available
Contact information
Honourable Dwight Duncan Honourable Michael Gravelle
Minister of Finance Minister of Northern Development and Mines
7 Queen’s Park Cres. Suite 101 @15 Van Norman St.
7th Fl Frost Building Thunder Bay, Ont.
Toronto, Ont. P7A 4B6
M7A 1Y7 Email mgravelle.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Email financecommunications.fin@ontario.ca
Bill Mauro MPP Thunder Bay Atikokan or fax and write to
240 South Syndicate Avenue fax 416-314-3853
Thunder Bay, Ontario Provincial Land Tax Reform
P7E 1C8 Provincial Local Initiatives Branch
Email bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org Ministry of Finance
10th Fl 777 Bay St
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2C8