CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Charlottetown Coun. Mitchell Tweel is calling on the city to freeze commercial and residential taxes in light of the challenges people are going through with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tweel said the freeze should remain in effect for the next five years, suggesting administration work with the province on a plan.
“I think the time is right to look at that type of arrangement," Tweel said at a recent meeting of council.
While Coun. Jason Coady, chairman of council’s standing committee on finance, said he would take the request under advisement, Coun. Terry Bernard, the previous chairman, pointed out that taxes have not risen in the city during the past 21 years. Bernard also pointed out the issue falls under provincial jurisdiction since the province collects property taxes for the city.
The P.E.I. government did freeze property taxes in 2007, which the province said saved Islanders $9.9 million. In 2009, legislation was passed to ensure that tax relief continues after the freeze. Starting in 2010, taxable value assessment was used to determine the property taxes due on owner-occupied residential property.
