MONTREAL – The debate over how deep property taxes should be cut is being played out in the election campaign.
But the hot button issue isn’t being fought in Montreal – instead the battleground is in neighbouring Montreal west.
The suburban community has the dishonourable distinction of having the highest tax rates on the island.
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Montreal West has no industrial park and a limited business district.
More than ninety percent of the city’s revenues come from home owners. That percentage is far higher than the Montreal average.
While the mill rate has been dropping in recent years, residential tax bills have been going up.
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The incumbent mayor insists little can be done about this, but he promises to keep any tax increase in line with the rate of inflation.
“I’ve shown four years of doing work. Being able to keep costs under control.
Keeping property tax increases at or below cost of living,” said incumbent mayor Beny Masella.
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