Current Advocacy News and Events:
South West Regional Economic Conference
(Via videoconference)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Location: University of Windsor, CTL G141 Classroom.
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Admission is Free. Please RSVP to: sw.economic.conference@gmail.com
MPP Sandra Pupatello and MPP Bruce Crozier and the Southwest Economic Alliance invite you to attend the:
Meet with local leaders and participate in thought provoking panels on the current state of South West Ontario's Economy and how local business can achieve success within it.
Click Here to download information flyer.
Municipal Budgets 2009
City of Windsor
2009 Tax Policy
City of Windsor's 2009 Tax Policies (Report)
2009 City of Windsor Budget
On May 6, 2009, the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce made a presentation to City Council on the City of Windsor’s 2009 Budget. Robert Rea, Chair of the Chamber’s Finance & Taxation Committee, expressed support for the Budget on behalf of the Chamber.
The Chamber recommended continuation of the successful debt reduction and pay as you go policies. The goal for the City should be to reduce the overall budget where possible, provide fair distribution of the tax levy among the various business classes and to balance the tax impacts between residential and business taxpayers.
The Chamber emphasized the importance of better realignment of City resources with its key priorities with more focus on completing the most important economic initiatives needed to attract new businesses to the region.
Chamber's 2009 City of Windsor Presentation
According to early budget documents the biggest challenge for municipal budgets will not be containing costs.
The City of Windsor's operating budgetary needs may even fall short of last year's budget.
Because of lower assessments, revenues from businesses in Windsor and Essex County are expected to dip noticeably below previous levels.
If the comparison is made to business tax revenues from a decade ago they are significantly lower.
The Municipal property tax system in Ontario does not allow for budgetary deficits. Revenues must come from tax increases elsewhere if they don't match municipal budget needs. The only other option is higher tax rates for residential properties.
The early calculations of projected tax impacts on different business tax classes show increased variations in assessments for different business categories. This could translate into more variable tax rates than before once municipal tax policies are approved by councils.
The Chamber is a key stakeholder and monitor of municipal budgets advocating for reductions in business property taxes. With the target dates for final budget approvals for the City of Windsor in April the Chamber is currently reviewing the operating budget.
Members can contact the Chamber to obtain more information about the budget process and the Chamber's advocacy efforts.
Advocacy Events
Environment and Energy Exposition in April
More information coming soon
Recent Advocacy Action
2008 Federal Elections All Candidates Debate
Read more about the issues in the most recent Federal Election