Whereas a well-functioning and up-to-date assessment system supports strong communities and makes the province an attractive place to invest; and,
Whereas property assessments in Ontario have not been updated in over a decade, making them the most outdated in Canada, while provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia update assessments annually to reflect current market conditions; and,
Whereas the prolonged pause in the reassessment cycle has created significant distortions in assessed values, resulting in inequities among property classes; and,
Whereas outdated assessments negatively impact investment decisions, economic competitiveness, municipal planning, and disproportionately affect independent small businesses; and,
Whereas reassessments are designed to be revenue neutral for the municipality, ensure fairness in taxation, maintain public confidence in the property tax system, and support long-term municipal financial planning; and,
Whereas a coalition of municipalities, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, small businesses, and major property owners have called upon the Government of Ontario to update property assessments;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of County of Oxford hereby calls upon the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Finance to direct the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to promptly resume the regular property assessment cycle; and,
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance; the Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation for their consideration and timely action.