www.fairtaxes.ca

Dear Friends,

I have discussed the need for fair taxes on our blog and at Ward Council in the past. Toronto remains the only city with a population over 2 million trying to survive, for the most part, on property taxes. The equation needs to change. In other cites, skyrocketing property taxes are known to cause a much more detrimental effect on citizens and their property investments than such measures as vehicle registration fees and a retail sales tax on property purchases. These measures tax only those that CAN afford it and only at the moment that they CAN afford it. A web site has been set up to explain further and collect input. Here is a sample:

A fair tax plan

We have a fair tax plan to end our systemic problem. Our solution will keep our roads in good shape, our garbage picked up, and all of our community centres and libraries open every day. It will give us the funds we need to fight climate change and improve public transit. Toronto is our home and we must make the right decision together. The province has started to take back the cost of some social services, but hundreds of millions of dollars in downloaded costs remain. We can’t continue to wait. We have a responsibility to take control of Toronto’s financial future and build our great city now.We need to reduce our reliance on property tax. On October 22, City Councillors will vote on a plan to adopt two new taxes. This is why City Council asked for and received new powers under the City of Toronto Act. With this vote, City Council will be able to use these new powers to take control of our financial future and build the great city we want. Canada’s largest city simply can’t function without new revenue. Our fair tax plan includes:
A Land Transfer Tax would be a sales tax levied on the purchase of property, with rebates of up to $2,000 for first-time home buyers. It would raise about $300 million a year and would be used to protect and enhance city services and allow for new investment.
A Personal Vehicle Registration Fee would cost car drivers an additional $60 a year and motorcycle riders $30 a year. It would raise about $60 million a year, to be directed to road repairs, public transit, cycling and pedestrian improvements and other transportation projects.
A fair and affordable level of property taxes. Without new taxes, Toronto will be forced to ask property taxpayers to cover the full cost of these services. The only way to keep property taxes down is to create new taxes — fair taxes — to fund our city.

Please go to http://www.fairtaxes.ca/ to learn the straight facts.

Shelley Carroll

New web portal assists immigrants to Toronto

News Release
August 31, 2007

New web portal assists immigrants to Toronto

The City of Toronto has launched a web portal to help new and prospective immigrants to the city find the important information they need to succeed.
Toronto’s new immigration portal, www.toronto.ca/immigration provides information on; how to pursue employment, start a business, access public transit and City services, as well as profiles of Toronto neighbourhoods.

Toronto was one of the first five Ontario cities selected for $200,000 in project funding from the Ontario government via Citizenship and Immigration Canada; the funding for the project was provided through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement to enhance online information about settling and working to help immigrants integrate into Canadian society.

"No other city in the world welcomes immigrants as warmly as Toronto, and that’s probably because about half of us are immigrants," said Mayor David Miller. "Our residents come from more than 200 different countries of origin, speak more than 150 languages, and observe virtually every religion. The City’s motto Diversity Our Strength speaks to how much we value and welcome immigrants to Toronto. This web site will help immigrants settle and participate fully in life in Toronto sooner."

The Toronto immigration portal, found on the Living in Toronto section of the City’s website, will link to the province’s website for newcomers, www.OntarioImmigration.ca and other online resources offered by the Ontario and Canadian governments, as well as community agencies serving immigrants in Toronto.

"Newcomers bring a world of experience to Toronto," said Gerry Phillips, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. "Toronto’s new portal and the province’s OntarioImmigration.ca will help prospective immigrants and newcomers get the information they need easily and conveniently. These tools will help attract needed skills and investment to Toronto and Ontario."
"Canada's New Government wants newcomers to succeed with their new lives in Canada," said Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. "And one of the best ways to help get local information about language training, job training and other settlement services is through the Internet. We've committed $10 million over the next four years to assist municipalities, such as Toronto, launch their own web portals and help newcomers and their families."

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and innovation in delivering public services. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and livability for all its residents.