Property tax cap benefits the rich, costs cities

BUDGET

Property tax cap benefits the rich, costs cities

In this year’s budget, HRM council lowered the property tax rate from 10% to 5.8%, and will bring in more money this year than last. The reason Halifax is able to bring in more money from a lower rate is because house prices have skyrocketed, and property taxes are based on the assessed value of people’s homes. Higher home prices mean more tax revenue for the city, but not as much as it could be.

Rapidly increasing property values were also an issue during Darrel Dexter’s premiership in the early 2000s. People who had been living on the South Shore for generations were suddenly hit with massive property tax bills as the area got developed into the cottage destination it is today. In order to protect the Nova Scotians who live on the South Shore from paying rich cottager property taxes on their small family home, Dexter’s government brought in the property tax.

In the intervening years, as the real estate market has boomed, this property tax cap has helped people stay in their homes. As mayor Mike Savage pointed out early in the budget process, this is because people who bought earlier paid less than they would if they bought today. Since Savage bought his house years ago, he pays less property tax than he would if he bought his house today. This is because the property tax cap is anchored to the purchase price of the home.

And while this policy does help all homeowners in a limited capacity, it really benefits rich Nova Scotians who own multiple properties.

Need to know

☀️ Today's weather: Cloudy with a 30% chance of showers in the morning. A high of 12C and a low of -3C.

🚗 The speed limit on Burnside Drive between the Highway 111 interchange and Akerley Boulevard in Dartmouth will be reduced from 80km/h to 70km/h this week.

🎭 Billy Elliot The Musical is the inspirational story of one boy’s stumble from the boxing ring to the ballet studio. At Neptune Theatre, Apr. 26-Jun. 18. Get tickets.*

🗺 The city has launched a new digital, real-time street parking map you can use to find available spaces and pay for parking.

*Sponsored Post

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On The Coast

COAST POLLS

What’s the best Easter-themed candy?

In other news

🪶 Watch the Sullivan’s Pond geese return home after a winter spent at Hope for Wildlife.

🏠 Community groups were shocked to find out Nova Scotia’s rent supplement program now requires you to spend 50% of your income on housing instead of 30% to qualify.

💸 St. Francis Xavier has received its largest donation to date: $15 million from the Victor Dahdelah Foundation to be put towards the university’s planned health research institute building.

🪴 New ceramic studio, Secrets of Clay, has opened up in Bedford and registration for its April classes is now open.

🧼 Head down to The Grainery in Dartmouth to refill your empty dish soap, hand & body soap, laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner bottles. Check out the prices per litre here.

🚨 Biscuit General has been the target of crime twice in the last month, incidents police have told them are on the rise in Halifax. The store is raising awareness around the importance of supporting community members who are struggling now more than ever and will be donating 10% of their sales on Apr. 8 to Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank.

🏫 Avon View High School in Windsor, NS was placed into lockdown yesterday after reports of individuals entering the school with firearms. Global has the story.

👀 Arguably one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time, Georges St. Pierre, decided to take a dip in the Halifax harbour a few days ago [VIDEO]. Who’s going to tell him?

📺 The Coast is so relevant it even exists in the new CBC series Sullivan’s Crossing.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

HalifACT: Acting on climate together

HalifACT is one of the most ambitious climate action movements in Canada. The HalifACT community update provides a snapshot of the Halifax Regional Municipality’s ongoing efforts to advance the goals set out in their long-term climate action plan.

See how HalifACT is leading and supporting the climate movement.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

What one chef has learned from a decade of Burger Bash

Matt Brewer has been working Burger Bashes since the beginning.

It’s mid-afternoon and the Almonak, a sleek brunch spot on Almon Street, is closing for the day. General manager Matt Brewer is tidying up. He’s fist bumping staff on the way out and joking around with the beer delivery guys. When you survive over a decade working in kitchens, camaraderie comes quickly to you.

“I’ve been working in kitchens a long time, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly,” says Brewer.

He says the best, the worst and the ugliest time of year is Burger Bash.

“I love it. I mean, I used to call it burger hell, but I loved it then too.”

Brewer has been doing Burger Bash for 10 years—hanging on since the very beginning. These years in the business make Brewer one of Burger Bash’s most reliable and personal historians.

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