Whereas the Province of Ontario collects substantial revenue from the application of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax from the sale of properties, including those in the Township of Brock and across the province, generating significant revenue; and
Whereas the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions is not directly shared with municipalities, while the majority of infrastructure and services provided to homeowners, is the responsibility of municipalities; and
Whereas Municipalities, including the Township of Brock, do not receive a share of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax; and
Whereas the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs; and
Whereas redistributing a portion of the existing Provincial Land Transfer Tax and the existing GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers; and
Whereas a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure, supporting local economic growth and improving the quality of life for the residents; and
Whereas Municipalities, including the Township of Brock, do not receive a share of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Brock directs:
- That the Provincial Government be requested to share a portion of the existing collected Provincial Land Transfer Tax with single and lower tier municipalities;
- That the Federal Government be requested to allocate to municipalities a percentage to the GST Collected on property sales;
- That this redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST be structured to provide a predictable and sustainable funding to municipalities, allowing for better long-term planning and investment in the infrastructure projects that benefit local communities, thus ensuring that local governments receive a fair share of the revenue to address critical infrastructure needs;
- That the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Brock endorse the City of Pickering's Council Resolution of February 24, 2025 regarding Sharing of Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST with Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure;
- That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Finance of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), in the Region of Durham; and,
- That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the City of Pickering, all Municipalities in the Region of Durham, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy.