Letters: Property tax conundrum; drive to arrive at all times

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Property tax conundrum

Call it deja-vu, but our household is faced with the same question that arose last year regarding our property tax assessment. Do we have grounds to challenge our ballooning property assessment? It has increased nearly 20 per cent, very similar to last year’s increase. However, it is still lower than would be the value from a market assessment from a realtor.

A review of the past 10 years of assessments is revealing. Excluding the past two years, assessments have only deviated by small amounts, mostly up but even down on two occasions, albeit marginally. It is just these past two years many of our assessments have appeared to be on steroids. I’m told to expect more of the same in future years. The worst is yet to come. We won’t know the impact of this year’s assessment until we receive part two of our formula. That will occur when our governing township applies new taxation rates to our assessment figure and the actual dollar amount of our bill will be revealed. By that time the appeal window will have closed shut.

This is the conundrum of which I speak.

The real issue at play is basic affordability, one of our premier’s favourite words. No matter the accuracy of assessments or even the tax rates set annually, how much property tax increase can home owners absorb? Although my spouse and I will be able to find the additional $800 or so we’ll likely be required to pay, what about those countless households less fortunate? Who among we retirees have received sufficient increases in our fixed income sources to cover this tax bill?

We all realize inflation and unprecedented house sales in our province is the root of the problem. Our government will point to these reasons as they throw their hands up without offering meaningful solutions. One idea would be legislation to limit annual tax bill increases to a ceiling of five per cent, for example. Another thought would require larger increases to commercial/industrial properties. When asked about this possibility by a reporter, a provincial Department of Finance spokesperson simply replied…”we’re working on that” or similar words. I’d suggest that is a feeble response at best. More should be done, and sooner than later.

Living in the homes we cherish and work so hard to maintain is becoming a luxury.

Peter LeBlanc

Darlings Island

Drive safe and drive to arrive

You drive to arrive anytime, but when I see people, especially here in Riverview, driving too fast you remember you should always drive safe. It’s not necessarily your driving, it could be the driver in front or in back of you. Driving is a big responsibility, and requires your eyes always on the road.  

You get from point A to point B with ease, keep your eyes on the road because they say drive safely in the winter, but you have to drive safely anytime.  

And remember, if you’re wrapped up on your phone, pull over tovthe side of the road. I hate hearing of any accidents, so concentrate on the road and always drive to arrive safe and sound.  

Dave Daigle Jr.

Riverview