Wilmot Township approves 20-year tax exemption for new affordable housing
Wilmot Township Council has approved a new policy that will exempt property taxes on newly built affordable housing units, in what officials are calling a significant step toward addressing housing affordability in the community.
The policy offers a 20-year property tax exemption for affordable housing developments led by non-profit and cooperative housing providers.
Mayor Natasha Salonen said the initiative is about enabling local solutions to a growing crisis.
'We know that real solutions require collaboration,' she said in a statement. 'This exemption creates the conditions for our non-profit partners—and potentially for-profit builders—to deliver housing that meets the needs of some residents, right here in New Hamburg, Baden, New Dundee, and beyond.'
The new exemption policy is part of Wilmot's 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. It also builds on previous council actions, including the 2024 decision to waive regional development charges for Nith View Homes' new 160-bed long-term care facility.
'This is about taking meaningful, concrete steps to tackle the housing crisis in our community,' Salonen said. 'This policy is one way we can say: we see the need, and we're acting on it.'
Council says it will continue exploring additional tools to address the housing crisis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
22 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta resumes buying U.S. alcohol, months after pause meant to fight tariffs
EDMONTON – Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally says the move signals a 'renewed commitment to open and fair trade' with the United States. Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. That came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. Nally says the decision to resume buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines 'sets the stage for more constructive negotiations' ahead of a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. The minister says Albertans are encouraged to continue supporting local producers, even as more U.S. options return to store shelves. Nally said in April that the province was pausing its policy around procurement from U.S. companies 'in the spirit of diplomacy.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. He said since the province's retaliatory measures were first announced in early March, the Trump administration had put a hold on further tariffs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
CTV News
32 minutes ago
- CTV News
First Nations youth program serves up Bannock, hot dogs in support of wildfire evacuees
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs hosted a fundraiser to help support wildfire evacuees in Manitoba. The kitchen of a North End leisure centre churned out a bevy of tasty treats Friday to help support Manitoba wildfire evacuees. Eagle's Nest, an Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs job readiness program for First Nations youth, organized the fundraiser. Folks were invited to the Aikins Street Community Health Centre as youth sold Bannock, soup, tacos in a bag, burgers, hot dogs and more. All proceeds go to First Nations families who have been temporarily displaced by wildfires. 'We're just trying to raise some money and help some people out and do what we can,' said Eagle's Nest project coordinator Desiree Martin. According to Friday's fire bulletin, there are 28 active wildfires currently burning out of control. Ten are considered out of control. As of June 5, the Canadian Red Cross has registered about 18,000 evacuees from over 7,100 households. A provincial state of emergency is in effect until June 26.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Fentanyl precursors diverted from Mexico to B.C., Trump's FBI director claims in Joe Rogan interview
FBI director Kash Patel appears on an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience." (YouTube/Joe Rogan Experience) The B.C. government is pushing back on claims made by FBI director Kash Patel while discussing the fentanyl crisis with comedian Joe Rogan. Appearing on the latest episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, Patel told the host fentanyl precursor chemicals from China are being sent to Mexico and Canada to bypass U.S. drug enforcement efforts. 'What they're doing now to get cute is they're shipping that stuff not straight here,' said Patel, an appointee of U.S. President Donald Trump. The FBI director also claimed the Trump administration's efforts to stop fentanyl from coming over the Mexican border have resulted in more precursor chemicals being diverted to B.C. 'They're having the Mexican cartels now make this fentanyl down in Mexico still, but now instead of going right up the southern border and into America, you know what they're doing?' Patel asked Rogan. 'They're flying it into Vancouver. They're taking the precursors up to Canada, manufacturing it up there, and doing their global distribution routes from up there because we've been so effective down south.' The basis of the claims is unclear. B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg was unavailable for an interview Friday, but issued a statement to CTV News referencing U.S. government statistics that show 'less than one per cent' of fentanyl seized at that country's borders last year came from Canada. 'It's no surprise that Trump's appointee would use his position to continue the president's narrative to justify his tariffs,' Begg said. 'Their Drug Enforcement Agency's National Drug Threat Assessment report in 2023 and 2024 didn't even mention Canada.' Trump declared a fentanyl-related emergency as a justification for imposing some of his new tariffs earlier this year – a move the U.S. Court of International Trade found was unconstitutional in a ruling last week. Begg said that even though only a 'small fraction' of U.S.-seized fentanyl comes from Canada, his government takes the issue seriously. 'Police in B.C. are actively investigating and enforcing illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking in our province,' he said, adding that his government has also been advocating for more federal resources to assist in the efforts. CTV News reached out to the Vancouver Police Department on Friday afternoon for comment on Patel's claims, but has not received a response. In the same interview, the FBI director accused the Chinese government of targeting the U.S. with fentanyl to 'take out generations of young men and women who might grow up to serve in the United States military, or grow up to become a cop or a teacher.' 'That is such a dark, dark thing,' said Rogan, with a furrowed brow. Patel, who was lighting a cigar at that point, replied: 'It is, but we're on it.'
