The results of the 2016 Census for major northern Ontario
cities draws attention to what I think is growing evidence that high and rising
municipal property tax and user charge burdens have been inducing tax migration
to surrounding lower tax townships and municipalities. In many respects, northern Ontario
cities are in a tough spot given that they have declining tax bases as a result
of weak economic growth, dispersed urban areas to serve, weak population growth,
and fixed costs and obligations to comply with provincial legislation affecting
municipalities.
