• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home *Opinion*

Behind the “Axe the Double Tenant Tax” sign

by Jean-Claude Basque
September 21, 2010
Reading Time: 1min read
Behind the “Axe the Double Tenant Tax” sign

New Brunswick landlords have renewed their lobbying to axe what they call the "double tax." Kristi Allain with the New Brunswick Coalition for Tenant Rights debunks the so-called double tax and argues against cutting the provincial revenue source.

It’s election time. New Brunswick is awash in signs. One in front of large apartment buildings in Moncton, and probably elsewhere in the province, caught my eye: “Axe the Double Tenant Tax.” Allegedly, tenants are paying double tax. The question is on what and since when do renters pay tax on their apartment. I checked the website address for an answer and ah ha! The signs do not belong to the renters but to the New Brunswick Association of Apartment Owners.

These private owners, most of them private corporations making profits, want to pay less tax. They raise the rents when the minimum wage, the welfare rates or fuel costs go up. Some of them receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal and provincial governments for subsidized housing. Now on top of that they are using their tenants during an election campaign to convince politicians they should pay less tax. Shame on them.

One of their arguments is that the property tax system is unfair and has a serious impact on New Brunswick’s economy. They say those living in poverty can’t afford housing, it impedes the province ability to attract residents and investment in rental accommodation. Looking at the ever increasing apartment buildings going up in Moncton in the last ten years, their arguments do not hold water.

If the tax was cut, they would receive a reduction of $62 million dollars, money which could have been spent on public services like healthcare and education.

What is needed in this province and what the next government should introduce is effective rent control legislation to protect renters, not fewer taxes for apartment owners.

Jean-Claude Basque is a social activist in New Brunswick.

Tags: housingJean-Claude Basquelandlordspovertyproperty taxtenant rights
ShareTweetSend

Related Posts

Behind the “Axe the Double Tenant Tax” sign
*Opinion*

Is New Brunswick’s so-called “double tax” increasing your rent?

April 13, 2021

As the province’s affordable housing crisis has deepened, some pundits, press and landlords have taken advantage to draw attention to...

Corinne Hersey, Fredericton mayoral candidate: “You can’t be a leader unless you’re serving the people”
New Brunswick

Corinne Hersey, Fredericton mayoral candidate: “You can’t be a leader unless you’re serving the people”

April 9, 2021

The NB Media Co-op interviewed Corinne Hersey who is running for mayor in Fredericton this May to hear more about...

New Brunswick tenants protest rent hikes and evictions
COVID-19

New Brunswick tenants protest rent hikes and evictions

April 8, 2021

Today, April 8, tenants gathered at the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton to demand an eviction ban and two per...

Fredericton homeless drop-in centre faces opposition but much needed, advocates say
New Brunswick

Fredericton homeless drop-in centre faces opposition but much needed, advocates say

March 22, 2021

Fredericton city council will hear from the public tonight on a zoning amendment to permit a drop-in centre and nine assisted...

Load More

Recommended

UNB Departments of History and Classics statement against anti-Asian racism

UNB Departments of History and Classics statement against anti-Asian racism

5 days ago
Wolastoqey leaders shocked by attack from Higgs government

Wolastoqey leaders shocked by attack from Higgs government

3 hours ago
Behind the “Axe the Double Tenant Tax” sign

Is New Brunswick’s so-called “double tax” increasing your rent?

7 hours ago
Rural communities raise concerns about New Brunswick’s local government green paper

Rural communities raise concerns about New Brunswick’s local government green paper

6 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In