Item - 2020.EX16.23
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on September 23, 2020 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020.
- See also By-law 838-2020
EX16.23 - 2020 Levy on Railway Roadways and Rights-of-Way and on Power Utility Transmission and Distribution Corridors
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2020, adopted the following:
1. City Council authorize the levy and collection of taxes for the 2020 taxation year on railway roadways and rights-of-way and on land used as transmission or distribution corridors owned by power utilities, in accordance with subsection 280 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and subsection 257.7 (1) of the Education Act.
2. City Council receive Attachment 2, Acreage and Tonnage Taxation Systems, to the report (September 4, 2020) from the Controller for information.
3. City Council request the Province of Ontario to explore the impact of national railways converting to a tonnage-based levy system, as opposed to the current rate per acreage system in the Province of Ontario, to determine any benefits to municipalities.
4. City Council forward the Item to the Ontario Good Roads Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their information.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-156485.pdf
EX16.23 - 2020 Levy on Railway Roadways and Rights-of-Way and on Power Utility Transmission and Distribution Corridors
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Executive Committee recommends that:
1. City Council authorize the levy and collection of taxes for the 2020 taxation year on railway roadways and rights-of-way and on land used as transmission or distribution corridors owned by power utilities, in accordance with subsection 280 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and subsection 257.7 (1) of the Education Act.
2. City Council receive Attachment 2, Acreage and Tonnage Taxation Systems, to the report (September 4, 2020) from the Controller for information.
3. City Council request the Province of Ontario to explore the impact of national railways converting to a tonnage-based levy system, as opposed to the current rate per acreage system in the Province of Ontario, to determine any benefits to municipalities.
4. City Council forward the Item to the Ontario Good Roads Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their information.
Origin
Summary
This report seeks Council authority for the introduction of the by-law necessary to levy and collect taxes for the 2020 taxation year on railway roadways and rights-of-way and on land used as transmission or distribution corridors owned by power utilities, totalling approximately $7.1 million in taxation revenue, of which the municipal share is $6.6 million and the provincial education share is $0.5 million.
The 2020 levy total remains unchanged from the 2019 levy total of $7.1 million (with a $6.6 million municipal share and a provincial education share of $0.5 million). In December 2019, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing advised through the 2020 Property Tax Decisions document to municipalities, that for the 2020 tax year, the property tax rates for railway rights-of-way will remain unchanged from 2019 levels, and the 2020 tax rates will be the same as the 2019 rates communicated to municipalities on May 24, 2019 for the 2019 tax year.
Attachment 2 to this report also provides information related to the property taxation of railway rights-of-way using acreage and tonnage systems.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-156485.pdf
Motions
That:
1. City Council request the Province of Ontario to explore the impact of national railways converting to a tonnage-based levy system, as opposed to the current rate per acreage system in the Province of Ontario, to determine any benefits to municipalities.
2. City Council forward the Item to the Ontario Good Roads Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their information.