P.E.I. seasonal residents’ group ‘frustrated’ by higher property taxes

As lots of P.E.I.’s seasonal residents gear as much as come again to the Island this summer season, some are feeling pissed off about rising property taxes in sure communities. 

In its March finances, the city of Three Rivers in japanese P.E.I. raised property taxes for non-residents so they’re now double what residents pay. 

“It is a bit hurtful, frankly,” stated Robert Vincent, who lives in Montreal however owns a cottage within the Launching space close to Cardigan, which is a part of Three Rivers. 

“It sends a message that … ‘We do not have to fret about your votes, however hey, we would be completely happy to have extra of your cash,'” he stated. 

Three Rivers mayor Ed MacAulay stated the choice to double the tax fee for non-residents was not a simple one, however the city wanted to discover a technique to make up a funding shortfall. 

“The one viable choice we thought we may make with out elevating the residential tax fee was to have a look at doubling the tax fee for non-resident people,” stated MacAulay. 

This was the primary yr the city did not obtain transitional funding from the province, which it has gotten yearly since amalgamation in 2018. 

We’ve to do what we are able to to guarantee that we offer providers year-round.— Three Rivers mayor Ed MacAulay

A memorandum of understanding signed throughout amalgamation prevents a tax hike for year-round residents. 

MacAulay stated he is heard from relations of seasonal residents concerning the tax fee change who’re upset and see this as discrimination. 

“I can admire individuals’s unhappiness with it,” stated MacAulay. 

“However we’ve to do what we are able to to guarantee that we offer providers year-round for the individuals which can be right here year-round.” 

Non-residents of P.E.I. already pay extra provincial tax than residents, at $1.50 per $100 of assessed property worth quite than $1. 

The Seasonal Residents of P.E.I. Affiliation needs Islanders to know concerning the tax change in Three Rivers, and that non-residents additionally pay larger municipal taxes in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall. 

“Those that are in these areas are pissed off, as a result of clearly seasonal residents haven’t any recourse. There is not any voting rights, for apparent causes,” stated affiliation president Jen Harding. 

“There’s this sense that the seasonal residents are a simple goal for municipalities to cowl funding shortfalls like Three Rivers did.” 

‘I do not know the place this ends’

Harding stated affiliation members are involved that different municipalities may observe Three Rivers’ lead and in addition increase taxes for non-residents. 

Vincent, who additionally sits on the affiliation’s board, stated regardless of the rise, his tax invoice nonetheless will not be significantly excessive, since his property is in a rural space with fewer providers. 

So though it will not have a monetary influence on him, Vincent shares Harding’s concern. 

“I do not know the place this ends,” he stated. “I am unable to declare that I might be shocked if different municipalities say, ‘Hey, what a fantastic thought. Let’s copy this.'”

Harding stated the affiliation is not planning to formally problem the tax enhance, however she hopes the Island’s municipal councils look to different methods of balancing their budgets sooner or later.

“I might simply hope … they actually have a look at all of the choices and think about any potential unintended penalties,” stated Harding.