Latest news with #UnionofMunicipalitiesofNewBrunswick
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Province proposes to freeze property tax assessments for one year
The provincial government intends to introduce legislation that would freeze real property assessment values. In a Tuesday release, the province said it would 'help provide relief and predictability to New Brunswickers as work continues to overhaul the province's property tax system.' The amendments would allow property assessments to remain at the 2025 level next year, which the government said could benefit 430,000 properties. 'Reform of the property tax system is not a short-term project by any means, but it's necessary to ensure predictability and fairness for property owners in the province,' said Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy in a release. 'We promised New Brunswickers that we would take action. This marks a first step on our way to property tax reform.' Effective Jan. 1, 2026, 'the proposed amendments to the Assessment Act would freeze the amount of assessment (value for taxation) at the 2025 level for all eligible properties for the 2026 taxation year.' There are certain exemptions: It is also expanding access to the equalized payment plan. The proposed amendments would allow eligibility for the 2026 tax year to additional property types, including non-owner-occupied and other residential and non-residential properties. But the move is being criticized by the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick and the the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick. It says this 'unilateral move' breaks a commitment to municipalities and sets a troubling precedent for interference in municipal finances. 'This government is about to table legislation we've worked on together for over a year to improve municipal funding,' said Yvon Godin, who is the president of the AFMNB. 'But in the very same week, they're pushing forward a measure that cancels out those gains. You can't call that partnership.' The two groups said they share the concerns about affordability for New Brunswickers, however, it explains the blanket freeze undermines municipalities' ability to deliver basic services, as well as, adds to the pressure already facing municipalities. UMNB has said studies have identified a $200-million funding gap for municipalities. Municipalities in New Brunswick are currently only funded by property tax assessment. It also cannot run deficits. 'The freeze puts more pressure on property taxpayers as municipalities rely on property taxes for 85% of our budgets. It puts immense pressure on municipalities to meet the mandates given to us through local governance reform and downloaded provincial services,' said UMNB president Brittany Merrifield. According to UMNB, the freeze could cost municipalities nearly $58 million, almost the same amount promised in additional funding for 2026. Merrifield said in the release it is neither equitable nor sustainable. Both organizations said it reiterates that property tax reform and fiscal reform for municipalities are two different things. 'This isn't partnership – it's paternalism,' said Godin. 'Unilateral decisions erode trust – and destabilize communities.' The province is expected to table the legislation for fiscal reform on Wednesday.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
N.B. mayor goes to Washington, hears U.S. counterparts share tariff concerns
The mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield flew to Washington on Thursday to meet with municipal leaders from the U.S. and Mexico to talk about the mutual negative impacts of the U.S. trade war. "There was a real sense of solidarity in the room," said Brittany Merrifield, who also serves as president of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick. Not knowing what to expect, Merrifield said she felt some apprehension before attending what was described as a friendly meeting of neighbours. "I knew that some of the mayors were going to be Republican so I didn't know what kind of messaging they were going to come with," she said. Merrifield speaks to Daniel Rickenmann, mayor of Columbia, S.C., about the negative impacts of tariff threats. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) What transpired was two days of candid accounts from grassroots politicians who said their constituents are already feeling pain from the tariffs and trade uncertainty brought on by the Trump administration. Merrifield found it remarkable because she thought the U.S. mayors were risking political reprisals. "It was actually quite courageous for them to be there," said Merrifield. "I have huge respect for all of these mayors who came under those conditions to do what they feel is right for the people they serve." The delegates, including eight from Mexico, as well as Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Rebecca Bligh — a Vancouver city councillor and president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities — presented a united front at a news conference Friday. It opened with remarks from Andrew Ginther, the mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Merrifield attended the summit with Dan Murphy, executive director at Union of the Municipalities of New Brunswick. (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) "The story is the same for all of us," said Ginther, after warning that tariffs were expected to add $21,000 US to the median cost of an American home during a housing supply crisis. "All of us are mayors, we are closest to the people we represent," he said. "We understand that politics and partisanship go on in … Washington, but we just care about what's best for our residents, our workers, our companies, the consumers in our cities, and we're going to make our voice heard." Daniel Rickenmann, mayor of Columbia, S.C., said tariffs could have a $3-billion US impact on trade in his state. He said about one in five jobs in South Carolina connects to the auto, aerospace and textile sectors, which are heavily dependent on international trade. "It supports well north of 10,000 jobs just in our community," said Rickenmann. He said metal packaging manufacturer Sonoco, based in South Carolina, was already feeling the impact of Trump's executive order to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum. The decision by some provinces to pull American alcohol from their shelves is also hitting Kentucky distillery employees, he said. "That's causing major layoffs already," he said. Anticipation of more tariffs The mayors were speaking in anticipation of more tariffs to come. Late Wednesday, Trump said he'd signed an executive order that will impose a 25 per cent import tariff on vehicles not made in the U.S. Although the full implications of the tariff weren't immediately clear, he said the levy will kick in on April 2. "I know that President Trump cares about Michigan," said Bryan Barnett, the mayor of Rochester Hills, Mich. "I need to relay to the Trump administration how important these decisions are to the auto industry and to the state that supported him." Andy Schor, mayor of Lansing, Mich., which is home of two General Motors auto assembly plants, said tariffs will hurt the working class. "We make on average $48,000 US per year," said Schor. "If cars go up anywhere close to $10,000, you're going to have people that cannot afford to buy cars." Schor also noted that mayors from both sides of the political divide were united in their concerns. "To see a mayor, Bryan Barnett of Michigan, leaning Republican, and Andy Schor of Michigan leaning Democrat … all of us coming together, along with our new friends, I think this is something that people are going to stand up and take notice of," said Schor gesturing first to Barnett, then to himself, then to the other mayors in the room.
