For Immediate Release:

Thunder Bay Coalition Accuses City of Property Tax Discrimination

: Asks City Council to Implement Fair Tax Rates for Multi-Residential Properties

Thunder Bay, ON, January 15, 2018 - Thunder Bay Coalition Against Property Tax Discrimination is
demanding Thunder Bay City Council implement policy changes to stop tax inequity in the city. The
coalition, an alliance of landlords, tenants and individuals is committed to end the discriminatory taxation
of people living in multi-residential buildings in Thunder Bay. Appearing before the Committee of the
Whole, coalition representatives made the request for City Council to implement 1 to 1 tax ratio policies.

“Property taxes, set by the City of Thunder Bay, are included in a tenant's rent every year. Many renters
don’t even realize that they are paying property taxes, let alone that they are paying up to 2.5 times more
than someone living in a house or condo,” says Susan Cepanec, landlord representative. “The Ontario
Government has called this taxation practice an inequity and has urged municipalities to change the
unfair polices.”

Last fall, the Ontario Ministry of Finance called for a freeze on multi-residential property taxes while the
problem is studied further. Multi-residential buildings are less of an expense to the City of Thunder Bay in
many ways such as garbage collection, street cleaning and snow removal.

“In Thunder Bay, we are still waiting for City Council to take action. The potential impact of ending
property tax discrimination in the city is enormous for local individuals and families who live in apartment
buildings. The unfair financial burden of higher tax ratios is affecting those on low incomes and Thunder
Bay’s most vulnerable including seniors, single-mothers and families on social assistance,” says
Cepanec.

In Thunder Bay, a fair tax rate would support the City of Thunder Bay’s plans on Anti-Poverty, Urban
Planning, Age-Friendly, Environmental Sustainability and Economic Investment. Fair tax rates also help
to provide an incentive for investors, newcomers and property developers.

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“Tenants living in multi-residential buildings should not be paying more property taxes than home or
condo owners. Thunder Bay’s tax rate for multi-residential tenants is actually one of the highest in the
province and higher than the national average. It’s time for Thunder Bay City Council to make a change.
The message is simple: Fair tax ratios equals fair rent rates,” continues Cepanec.

tbaypropertytaxdiscrimination.com

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Media Contact:

Stephanie Ash
Firedog Communications
Tel: (807) 767-4443 ext.: 222
Email: stephanie@firedogpr.com