‘It feels like a slap in the face’: APAS concerned over Growth Coalition municipal tax proposal

The Saskatchewan Growth Coalition desires to see the province’s financial system get stronger from mining to manufacturing by proposing a change to municipal taxing.

Nevertheless, it’s elevating a crimson flag for farmers who fear they could find yourself paying extra.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) mentioned that after the worst drought in over 30 years, the proposal appears like a slap within the face.

Scott Owens, APAS Director of District 6 mentioned, “When oil and gasoline is again as much as ranges we haven’t seen in six or seven years, why hastily do they want a tax break?”

The coalition mentioned they need the provincial authorities to herald limits on how a lot municipalities can tax various kinds of industries.

There are three entities who pay taxes in a rural setting: residential, industrial and agricultural.

In response to Owens, agriculture can be hit with a noticeable tax enhance.

“If one celebration out of these three calls for to pay much less then somebody has to choose up the slack and it was implied that farmers needs to be paying further property taxes to make up the distinction,” mentioned Owens.

A member of the Development Coalition and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, John Hopkins, mentioned that’s not the case.

“We’re not saying that farmers ought to pay extra or anyone ought to pay extra, it’s let’s ensure that it’s a clear course of and that it’s truthful.”

Owens has a counter proposal for the coalition to look into to assist with their subject, saying, “If particular person grain corporations or gasoline corporations have points with explicit RM’s, strategy them instantly.”

The coalition argues Saskatchewan must be extra aggressive in relation to municipal taxes in comparison with different provinces, and they’re keen to begin the dialog.

“If that takes speaking to different stake holders like APAS or whoever else it is likely to be, then you realize let’s sit down and discuss it,” mentioned Hopkins.

The Authorities of Saskatchewan has but to share their response on the subject.