Chagnon pushes Minister Normandeau for tax changes

“I am optimistic about the chance of changes to the property tax system which would enable Westmount to freely vary its rates between residential and commercial property owners,� Jacques Chagnon told The Examiner.

He also took up the request by Mayor Karin Marks, acting for all the demerged cities’ mayors, that the minister meet them all. “She said she would,� the MNA recalled.

The initiatives followed the letter of Sept. 18 from the mayors’ association to Normandeau. Among other matters, it presented their wish to convert the Agglom into an “MUC-like structure.�

“I am not very optimistic about that,� Chagnon said. “People in Quebec City are not very receptive to any kind of reconstitution of the MUC.�

The newly independent mayors have been asking for the same facility that Montreal is allowed to adjust the property tax rates of commercial properties. The present law restricts any variance.

“I don’t know why the department is delaying activating it,� Chagnon admitted. “It doesn’t cost the government anything or impact Montreal.�

After hearing from Chagnon, Marks said she would also raise it with the minister if, indeed, there was a meeting.

“We are just asking to have the same

flexibility as Montreal,� Marks said. “I can’t imagine why the ministry is taking so long to accept it. If there is a reason, I hope that Mme Normandeau will explain it to us.

“No doubt she would bring her officials; you can’t expect her to know everything about every dossier.�

Chagnon in hoping to have a separate meeting with Westmount council. He wants to talk to them about the two $60 million funds that resulted from the closing of the Olympic debt.

The Quebec government has assigned them to municipal cultural and sports projects. TMR has already applied to

finance a possible new multi-purpose

cultural centre.

“Westmount should be getting its share,� said Chagnon.

Westmount council is known to be wary of attracting new debt following the impact of the forced merger with Montreal. It is feared that the overall debt could approach $45 million by year end.

Though reluctant to borrow for local investment, there is heavy Agglom debt-spending, so our total debt will continue to grow from that source if current policies

continue.