A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 138 No. 51 Tuesday August 12, 1997 20 Pages 75 0 (GST included) Joyce Savoline cries foui over provincial plan By BRAD REAUME The Champion The provincial government's dlaim that municipalities wiII be able to produce a 10 per cent property tax cut by 2000 is "totally unrealistic" according to Halton Chair Joyce Savoline. The Milton Fire Department asks urban and rural dwellers 10 refrain from buming on their properties. Due to, dry conditions, firefighters are worried brush f ires and campf ires may spread and cause havoc. "We're trying to prevenf f ire before t happens," said f ire department spokesman Mark Cross. lf's illegal for urban residents to burn on their properties but some still have camptires. Allowed to bumn with a permit, rural dwellers are also being asked f0 hold off. Ms Savoline made the comments in reaction t0 an announicement by the provincial govemment that social ser- vices in the Greater Toronto Area will be paid for by pooling expenses among municipalities. Ms Savoline said such dlaims "'clearly show the province doesn't understand municipal business." She said the funding shifts are so that provincial dlaims of taxpayer sav- ings in Toronto through the creation of the megacity can occur. "It looks 10 me like a fix t0 make the megacity work," she said. "The burden will be borne by municipalities in the 905 (suburban) ares.1 Last week the province announced a $660 million shift in funding, with Halton regional municîpalities responsible for about $40 million more than they currently psy in prop- erty taxes. Exact figures are not yet available. In 1994 about 51 people per thou- sand in Toronto were on social assis- tance while Halton supported just under 10 people per thousand. Property taxes could skyrocket "We are going to be expected to psy for services where we do not have control of the standards," said Ms Savoline. "T1he real concemr is whst this might mean in the future. There is real uncertainty for the property taxpayer. It is very possible property taxes could skyrocket in the future." Ms Savoline said there is no pend- ing announcement from the province which will even out the financial impact. In fact, the announcements were apparently made taking into account expected tax shifts through province- wide property reassessment. Joyce Savoline Property taxes in Toronto were expected t0 rite significantly through a province-wide resssessment of properties. Ms Savoline was particularly incensed with comments from Toronto-area mayors who suggested that suburban communities are finally going t0 have to psy their fair share of taxes. She said 905 areas have managed their affairs prudently while Toronto politicians refused to make necessary changes 10 property taxation and ser- vice levels. Toronto unaffected "Tloronto will be virtually unaffect- ed by these changes which will cush- ion the effect of the megacity," Ms Savoline said, calling for an even playing field regarding assessment and standards of various municipal programs. However, she acknowledged Toronto would be hit hard if the play- ing field was leveled. , 0e related story on page 3. Sh Milton First For.. ILION. ALL It's too dry to make residential lires