Olivia Chows "Penny Tax" as un-reported..

[Fletch 27]

Her Direct correspondence:

Below is Ms. Chow’s submission to the Transport committee.

Infrastructure Funding Study Proposal

Draft Version, 2012-10-28

Background

Canada’s urban infrastructure is crumbling and over-burdened municipalities are struggling to fund maintenance and expansions.

Purpose of the Study

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities should explore the topic of infrastructure funding and examine a comprehensive set of policy options. The committee’s recommendations should then inform Infrastructure Canada as the federal government designs a post-2014 long-term infrastructure investment plan.

Potential Policy Options to Examine

1. Renewal of Building Canada Plan components with dedicated funding streams (Gas Tax Fund, Building Canada Fund, Sales Tax Fund)

• German case:

➢ German subsidization of local roads and transit through surplus revenues of fuel duty (Act on Federal Government Aid to Improve Transport at the Local Authority Level).

➢ Prerequisites for funding: (1) urgency (2) provided for in transport plan (3) evidence of remaining finance being secured. (Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development)

• United States:

➢ Competitive Grants Program: Formula and Discretionary Grants (Federal Transit Administration)

2. National Infrastructure Bank

• Federal government acts as guarantor of debt for municipalities to assist in raising revenues for infrastructure projects (Pagano & Perry 2008, 34).

3. Vertical Integration (Tri-level agreements)

• Infrastructure projects through federal-provincial-municipal agreements.

• Vancouver Agreement (2000) and Urban Aboriginal Strategy (1998) examples of federal-provincial-municipal agreements to fund specific municipal projects (Stoney & Graham 2009, 381).

4. “Penny Tax”

• One percent municipally-levied value added sales tax (Vander Ploeg 2011, i).

• Local sales taxes common in several countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and in the United States (12)

• Presents an alternative to raising property taxes.

• Referenda on these taxes (funds earmarked for local infrastructure) in the United States have largely been successful (16).

5. Reinvest Value Capture Recommendation by Australia Infrastructure Finance Working Group.

• Properties directly benefitting from new/renewed infrastructure contribute to reduce costs (48

Potential Witnesses

• Dr. Christopher Stoney (Carleton University)

• Dr. Michael Pagano (University of Illinois at Chicago)

• Dr. Katherine A. H. Graham (Carleton University)

• Federation of Canadian Municipalities

• Council of European Municipalities and Regions

• Australia Infrastructure Finance Working Group

• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Gone laregely un-noticed/un-publisized... This added "penny Tax" by all accounts would add HUNDREDS of dollars onto the aleady massive tax-burden the Toronto residents see..

Pleas note she will NOT reduce property taxes or remove the Land transfer tax... Simply ADD ANOTHER TAX(!!).. All in the meantime, asking the Federal Government to act as a guarantor of debt for municipalities. Why should areas or municipalities un-accountable to Toronto be gaurantors of Torontos financial miss-management???

Yup, once and NDP-er, always and NDPer .. Tax and spend all on other peoples dime and responsibility.

[Black Dog]

Gone laregely un-noticed/un-publisized..

There was lots of talk about this during the recent FCM meetings. Hardly Bilderberg stuff.

This added "penny Tax" by all accounts would add HUNDREDS of dollars onto the aleady massive tax-burden the Toronto residents see..

Cite? Source?

Pleas note she will NOT reduce property taxes or remove the Land transfer tax... Simply ADD ANOTHER TAX(!!)..

And?

All in the meantime, asking the Federal Government to act as a guarantor of debt for municipalities. Why should areas or municipalities un-accountable to Toronto be gaurantors of Torontos financial miss-management???

That was one policy option listed. What's your beef with it?

Yup, once and NDP-er, always and NDPer .. Tax and spend all on other peoples dime and responsibility.

Every government is a "tax and spend" government. That's why we have governments. And taxes.

[guyser]

Pleas note she will NOT reduce property taxes

Good, they should be raised.

or remove the Land transfer tax..

The other double tax should be eliminated.

. Why should areas or municipalities un-accountable to Toronto be gaurantors of Torontos financial miss-management???

They choldnt, but the govt should spend more money on TO. Pretty much getting ripped as it is. Feds too!

[Fletch 27]

She states it would be, and i quote " a "penny tax" would create an estimated $1.3 billion annual windfall". With the population of toronto, this equates to 497.00 for each and every Toronto resident per year.....

Or just enough for one months rent in a low-income or subsidized appartment....

[Black Dog]

She states it would be, and i quote " a "penny tax" would create an estimated $1.3 billion annual windfall". With the population of toronto, this equates to 497.00 for each and every Toronto resident per year.....

Again, this isn't a new proposal. The Canada West Foundation floated the VAT idea last year. The FCM talked about it earlier this year. Other municipalities (notably Los Angeles) have successfully deployed local sales taxes to fund infrastructure. It's a good idea.

Or just enough for one months rent in a low-income or subsidized appartment....

Still lying about that, eh?

[Fletch 27]

Again, this isn't a new proposal. The Canada West Foundation floated the VAT idea last year. The FCM talked about it earlier this year. Other municipalities (notably Los Angeles) have successfully deployed local sales taxes to fund infrastructure. It's a good idea.

Still lying about that, eh?

Yes, LA is doing VERY well financially! Its a prosperous super-power huh?

Lying about what???

[Canuckistani]

She states it would be, and i quote " a "penny tax" would create an estimated $1.3 billion annual windfall". With the population of toronto, this equates to 497.00 for each and every Toronto resident per year.....

Or just enough for one months rent in a low-income or subsidized appartment....

Except that low-income person isn't in a position to spend the average amount per resident. Ie their purchases over the year would generate much less than $497, while the high rollers would generate more.

But you're right, it's a regressive tax. Better to have the property tax be progressive, ie the more your house is worth, the higher the property tax rate is on it.

[Fletch 27]

Except that low-income person isn't in a position to spend the average amount per resident. Ie their purchases over the year would generate much less than $497, while the high rollers would generate more.

But you're right, it's a regressive tax. Better to have the property tax be progressive, ie the more your house is worth, the higher the property tax rate is on it.

Why should a family who can not afford a car be taxed for Infrastructure?? Why would she want to TAX the lowest earners??!?!?! Her proposed tax impacts everyone

[Black Dog]

Yes, LA is doing VERY well financially! Its a prosperous super-power huh?

Dunno. Bet you don't either. What I do know is they've made great strides in upgrading their transit and infrastructure because they actually have the money to do so,

Lying about what???

The Layton/Chow subsidized housing smear, dummy.

[Black Dog]

Why should a family who can not afford a car be taxed for Infrastructure??

Gee maybe because, without a car, they'd have to rely on public transportation.

Why would she want to TAX the lowest earners??!?!?! Her proposed tax impacts everyone

You're right: let's increase taxes for the rich instead.

[Boges]

I know this might come as a shock to people but I actually do think Toronto should seriously consider sticking a Toll-both on the Gardiner and the DVP. Something like $3 to get in but nothing to get out.

I was in New York State recently. Toll-boths are everywhere. It costs $12 to get on the island of Manhattan!!!

$3-5 a day is a reasonable price to pay considering the price of the GO-Train and it would curtail unneeded trips into the city by single parties.

I don't think Mayor Ford would go for it but if Toronto's infrastructure is as bad as people are saying tolling the use of the Gardiner is a reasonable and logical solution to the problem of it crumbling. I doubt locals use that Highway very much anyway so it's a modest user fee.

You could always avoid the tolls by taking Dundas, Queensway, or Lakeshore but that would take you a lot longer. I doubt people that drive into the city each day are actually that cheap.

Edited November 22, 2012 by Boges

[Fletch 27]

Im for increasing the tax on the Rich! Hell, I dont mind paying more.... WHEN the LEFT can prove they can manage money... Till then? F-Her and her insane taxes...

Toronto's infrastructure is bad for one reason.. The past mayoraship and the Leftist council...

Edited November 22, 2012 by Fletch 27

[Canuckistani]

Why should a family who can not afford a car be taxed for Infrastructure?? Why would she want to TAX the lowest earners??!?!?! Her proposed tax impacts everyone

As does the HST.

[Black Dog]

Im for increasing the tax on the Rich! Hell, I dont mind paying more.... WHEN the LEFT can prove they can manage money... Till then? F-Her and her insane taxes...

VATs are so crazy damn near everyone has them.

Toronto's infrastructure is bad for one reason.. The past mayoraship and the Leftist council...

Cite? Source?

[Fletch 27]

So add another?????

[Boges]

So add another?????

I know when I was a poor single person I would get GST rebate cheques throughout the year. I think a similar system would apply to this tax.

[Black Dog]

So add another?????

Yes. Contrary to what your ideological fellow traveler Rob Ford thinks, infrastructure doesn't magically pay for itself.

[Fletch 27]

Yes. Contrary to what your ideological fellow traveler Rob Ford thinks, infrastructure doesn't magically pay for itself.

Its called "Financial management" Black-Dog.... Something the Left know NOTHING about.... Please "wiki" "Bob Rae -NDP", "Toronto Mayor Miller", "Thomas Mulcair 11 re-mortgages".. WHY on earth would anyone hand a dollar to an NDP-er? Look at Olivia Chows spending? At her records for expenses?? ($530,304.73)

Among party leader's, NDP Leader Jack Layton racked up the highest expense account despite being the leader of the smallest party. Layton billed taxpayers for $628,913.68 (HArper spent $281K,, LESS than all of the others..), including $14,676 for his phone bill and $49,013 for "Ten percenters" -- the campaign-style mailings that MPs are allowed to send out on the taxpayer dime to ridings held by political opponents.

AGAIN,, You can NOT trust and NDP-er with a buck.... Facts and timelines prove this.....

Its a shame to see Olivia Chow adding to the average working persons burden..... She needs to back away from the trough.....

[guyser]

I know this might come as a shock to people but I actually do think Toronto should seriously consider sticking a Toll-both on the Gardiner and the DVP. Something like $3 to get in but nothing to get out.

It will never fly. Traffic coming to a stand still is no solution.

I don't think Mayor Ford would go for it but if Toronto's infrastructure is as bad as people are saying tolling the use of the Gardiner is a reasonable and logical solution to the problem of it crumbling. I doubt locals use that Highway very much anyway so it's a modest user fee.

You could always avoid the tolls by taking Dundas, Queensway, or Lakeshore but that would take you a lot longer. I doubt people that drive into the city each day are actually that cheap.

Mayor Ford has no idea of the history nor the incompetence that the Province and ther City has shown in the past. No foresight means this is the mess we are in . Ford isnt smart enough to deal with this problem. As a mayor he makes a fine football coach.

Had Bill Davis not been such a meathead on the issue of travel then our traffic problem would be far improved with the two proposed highways that were to be built (Spadina+Hwy #2) The proposed limits on the DVP , traffic wise,have contributed to the traffic problem greatly

Locals use the highways to the tune of in excess of 100,000 cars per day.

Edited November 22, 2012 by guyser

[Black Dog]

Its called "Financial management" Black-Dog.... Something the Left know NOTHING about.... Please "wiki" "Bob Rae -NDP", "Toronto Mayor Miller", "Thomas Mulcair 11 re-mortgages".. WHY on earth would anyone hand a dollar to an NDP-er? Look at Olivia Chows spending? At her records for expenses?? ($530,304.73)

Among party leader's, NDP Leader Jack Layton racked up the highest expense account despite being the leader of the smallest party. Layton billed taxpayers for $628,913.68 (HArper spent $281K,, LESS than all of the others..), including $14,676 for his phone bill and $49,013 for "Ten percenters" -- the campaign-style mailings that MPs are allowed to send out on the taxpayer dime to ridings held by political opponents.

AGAIN,, You can NOT trust and NDP-er with a buck.... Facts and timelines prove this.....

Its a shame to see Olivia Chow adding to the average working persons burden..... She needs to back away from the trough.....

What do office expenses have to do with infrastructure funding?

Here's an example of how off-base you are: the TTC used to get funding from the province. Then along came Mike Harris who slashed the subsidy and then forced the city to amalgamate against the wishes of its citizens, driving up costs for infrastructure.

[Black Dog]

Had Bill Davis not been such a meathead on the issue of travel then our traffic problem would be far improved with the two proposed highways that were to be built (Spadina+Hwy #2) The proposed limits on the DVP , traffic wise,have contributed to the traffic problem greatly

I doubt that would have helped. More roads just means more traffic. So we'd still have gridlock and would have lost a lot of great neighbourhoods and replaced them with freeways.

[Fletch 27]

What do office expenses have to do with infrastructure funding?

Here's an example of how off-base you are: the TTC used to get funding from the province. Then along came Mike Harris who slashed the subsidy and then forced the city to amalgamate against the wishes of its citizens, driving up costs for infrastructure.

Well Duhhhhhhhh... Why should the "TTC" (Toronto Transit commision btw) recieve MONEYS from towns like Milton? Or Hamilton? Or Thunder Bay??? Ohh thats right..... Entitlement alla Toronto... The TTC is a MESS thanks to Stintz and the Unions..... Ontario would be BROKE if they pandered to that armpit.

And the Expenses point related DIRECTLY to the sheer inneptness of the NDP's part to manage finances or monies... VERY simply

[Black Dog]

Well Duhhhhhhhh... Why should the "TTC" (Toronto Transit commision btw) recieve MONEYS from towns like Milton? Or Hamilton? Or Thunder Bay??? Ohh thats right..... Entitlement alla Toronto...

Toronto is the economic engine of the province. What's good for T.O. is good for Ontario. Other jurisdictions recognize the importance of urban transit to the big picture...small town dullards, less so.

The TTC is a MESS thanks to Stintz and the Unions.....

Ontario would be BROKE if they pandered to that armpit.

Cite? Source?

[guyser]

I doubt that would have helped. More roads just means more traffic. So we'd still have gridlock and would have lost a lot of great neighbourhoods and replaced them with freeways.

It would have helped immensely.

The DVP would be reduced by half, the FG Gardiner almost the same. Had they been done, then monies in the meantime would have been freed up to spend on transit concerns. The impetus for further growth via transit concerns would have been substantial.

I agree the sprawl that may have hurried up would not be a good thing, and you always get another problem when you solve something but still. those expressways would have helped.

[guyser]

Ontario would be BROKE if they pandered to that armpit.

The Province would be broke without Toronto. The small towners would have less services, less everything if TO kept their money.

You're welcome to your standard of living. Dont mention it. We like to help.