For Immediate Release:
December 9, 2005

Bill 37 overrules Taxpayer Protection Act: Barrett

Queens Park –MPP Toby Barrett spoke out this week against Bill 37, Respect for Municipalities Act 2005, citing it as just one more way for Dalton McGuinty to break the Taxpayer’s Protection Act.

Barrett spoke to the Bill in the Ontario legislature pointing out that it would allow municipalities to raise taxes, fees and levies without holding a referendum. “This is a piece of legislation that flies in the face of the Taxpayer Protection Act, which, as we all know, was solemnly signed by Premier McGuinty. There was a ceremony, and we now have a Premier who is not abiding by a document he affixed his signature to.”

Bill 37, Respect for Municipalities Act 2005 now changes that law and provides that a referendum is not required with respect to a bill that gives a municipality the authority to levy a new tax.

Barrett reminded the Legislature, “The Taxpayer Protection Act, passed in 1999, limits the ability of the province to increase taxes…one of the restrictions is that it makes it unlawful for the province to introduce legislation, like we're seeing today, that would grant taxing authority to another entity, such as a municipal government. That's exactly what this piece of legislation does.”

“I know in my area, farmers and small business people are taxed out. They just could not afford these additional powers that this province will be passing over to the municipalities to allow them to increase their levy,” Barrett stated. “For example, my councillor in Norfolk county, John Wells, stated -- and this is as a result of this revenue-negative aspect -- "We seem left out in the cold in almost everything we apply for,"making reference to the tough news they received under the municipal partnership fund.” ”

In an effort to suppress further debate Bill 37, the McGuinty government invoked a time allocation motion ensuring that the controversial legislation will move forward to a third and final reading vote without any possibility for opposition input.

Shame!

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629