Reducing the commercial tax ratio from 1.7 to 1.43 over 16 years wouldn’t shift the burden to residential property owners in Saskatoon, according to mayoral candidate Kelley Moore.
Instead, it would increase business revenue to the city because businesses would have more money to invest, Moore said.
“By being able to support business in our community, everybody wins,” Moore said.
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Commercial properties in Saskatoon currently contribute 175 per cent of what residents pay in taxes on their homes.
The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce asked the city to consider reducing the figure to 143 per cent in 2012, but council deferred the discussion to the 2016-17 reassessment year.
During a business-oriented mayoral forum, candidate Don Atchison said “there is a tremendous opportunity” to reduce the tax rate to 1.43 over time.
Candidate Charlie Clark stated earlier this week that he will not support a proposal to lower the commercial tax ratio. He said the move would harm residents least able to afford it.
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Voters go to the polls Oct. 26.
Meaghan Craig contributed to this story
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