Toronto Taxpayers Are Speaking Out

But don't hold your breath waiting for Comrade Miller and the Politboro to listen.....

No new taxes, city told
Officials get earful over plans
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Would you prefer a kick in the teeth or a punch in the stomach?

About 80 people turned out last night for the first public meeting on new taxes the city can now impose on a host of items, including movie tickets, alcohol, cigarettes and vehicle registration.

And while participants were urged to discuss which taxes are they feel are best to help the city claw its way out of its financial mess, many in the crowd made it clear they don't want to pay them.

'MANAGE BETTER'

The meeting, held at Harbourfront Centre, was part of a process the city endorsed as a prelude to the potential introduction of one or more of what Mayor David Miller calls "revenue tools."

North York resident Tony Dickins, 49, complained the city made an assumption people wanted new taxes. "I'm not after new revenue tools: I think we should be looking at how to manage our monies better, as opposed to looking at new taxes," he said.

Kevin Gaudet, of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, argued the city didn't really want to hear from people, saying last night's agenda had been designed to get an agreement on which taxes should be imposed. "Mayor Miller wants to impose taxes. He wants to tax the fun out of Toronto," Gaudet said.

Miller did not attend the meeting.

SMOKING BAN

Under protest from members of the audience, city officials agreed to alter last night's proceeding to give people a chance to give comments and ask questions.

Representatives of the Canadian Restaurant and Food Service Association warned that after weathering the impact of 9/11, SARS, a smoking ban and an NHL lockout, new taxes could be the final straw for many bars and restaurants.

"I know initially it is going to be: 'No. No new tax at all," budget chief Shelley Carroll said. "But (people) need to look at the long view and that needs to be presented."

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THE NEW 'REVENUE TOOLS'

When the province's City of Toronto Act took effect on Jan. 1, it empowered Toronto council to impose new taxes -- levies Mayor David Miller insists on calling "revenue tools." The city is holding a series of public meetings to provide information and hear what people think of the new levies. Here are taxes the city can impose:

- Alcohol -- A 1% tax would give the city $15 million annually.

- Cigarettes -- A 1% tax would generate $6 million a year.

- Tickets for movies, sporting events and performing arts: A 1% tax would provide the city with $3 million annually.

- Land transfer: A 0.10% tax would yield $21 million annually. A 1.5% levy would boost the city's revenues by $306 million a year.

- Motor vehicle registration: A $10 tax would generate $11 million a year.

- Road tolls or congestion taxes: City officials estimate such measures would generate $75 million a year. Miller has said he does not favour such taxes. He maintains that if local governments want to impose road tolls, it must be done regionally and include the 905 area.

- Parking tax -- imposed on the lot owner: A $25 tax generates $2 million a year for the city.

- Billboard tax: City officials estimate such a levy would rake in $2.6 million a year.