Nearly three-quarters of Ontarians think the provincial government should slam the brakes on a municipal car tax, found a recent Nanos poll.
The poll was commissioned by the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), which has been advocating for the past several months that Ontario not allow its 444 municipalities the power to charge a vehicle registration tax.
While there is no current legislation in place, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ted McMeekin has not ruled out the possibility of granting this authority to municipalities.
Frank Notte, Director of Government relations for TADA, said the poll was conducted to determine public opinion on the issue and show the government there was no support. “Right now we are just trying to put as much public pressure before anything happens,” said Notte in an interview with Canadian auto dealer.
If the tax were implemented, Notte said it would further increase the cost of families’ transportation budget, which already makes up around 20 per cent of it.
“That’s why we’re are trying to lessen the cost of ownership because families need cars,” said Notte. Of those polled, 83 per cent feel a car is a household necessity.
In a letter to McMeekin, Notte said he had asked the minister to clarify the tax issue.
Said McMeekin in his response, “As part of the municipal legislative review, one of the foremost concerns we have heard from the municipal sector is with respect to municipalities’ ability to continue to deliver the quality services and infrastructure on which Ontarians rely. Many elected councils have asked us to provide them with the tools to ensure the financial sustainability of the services they deliver. This government respects municipalities as responsible governments that have the best interest of their residents in mind.”
“As we continue our review of the Municipal Act, my ministry continues to assess all of the feedback received and will consider how best to improve the legislation,” McMeekin added.
Notte said he will continue to monitor the issue, though there is speculation about a potential cabinet shuffle this summer, and that could reset everything. Just recently, Mcmeekin announced his resignation from the Ontario cabinet.
A complete report of the Nanos poll results can be found here.
