Education Tax on Property 2011

Manitoba Association of Cottage Owners Inc.

Every Manitoban has the right to education. The responsibility for education rests with the province and should be financially supported by the province

MACO has been actively promoting removal of education taxes off ALL property for many years. A petition can be found at www.macoman.com.

School taxes - Being taxed on your asset or taxed on your debt??

Seniors/retirees may have homes that continue to increase in value thus increasing taxes. Will they be able to keep this asset as expenses increase?
What about the younger people? Taxes on their property more than likely means taxes on the debt (mortgage).

IS THAT FAIR?

Where is the equity

When a widow living on her share of her husband’s pension is paying similar school taxes as the house next door that has 4 working adults. A fair contribution would be based on income with the costs of schools paid through General Revenue.
The Department of Education sets curriculum but does not fund education in full. Schools in regional or poorer areas of Winnipeg and other cities may not be funded as well by property tax as those in more affluent areas. All Manitobans are entitled to education. Shouldn’t this be funded in full from General Revenue?

If school boards continue to tax, the government doesn’t have to account for all education costs. However, since the changes to the balanced budget legislation this is no longer an issue. Or is it?

Cottage owners have the right to vote in municipal elections to elect reeve and councillors in their cottage area. They do not have the right to vote for school trustees who have the right to tax them. Is this not taxation without representation?

A Winnipeg Sun poll on February 27, 2009

“Should school boards have their taxation powers taken away?”

93% of respondents voted yes.

Many Provinces that have eliminated education tax. They have continued their commitment to education and have found ways to fund education.

Province/Territory	Education Taxes On Property
NL	0% education tax on property
NS	0 % education tax on property
PEI	0% education tax on property
NB	0% education tax on property since 1996. Eliminated all school divisions & boards.
QC	Residential school board mill rate 3.5 mills
ON	Administered by province 2010 mill rate 2.5 mills
MB	School division average 2010 mill rate 15.8 mills
SK	Administered by province 2009 mill rate 10.08 mills
AB	Administered by province 2010 mill rate 2.93 mills
BC	Administered by province varies by school board increases at inflation rate
NU	0% education tax on property
NWT	2010 general mill rate 1.88 mills + municipal rate 4.31 + 6.19 mills
YT	0% education tax on property

Canadian constitution & Supreme Court states education is 100% provincial funding responsibility

North Dakota 2012 state wide election vote to eliminate ALL property taxes

TAKE EDUCATION TAXES OFF PROPERTY!

Fund education properly – out of general revenue so everyone pays their fair and equitable share.