Special Projects | 2020
Designing Property Tax Deferrals in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis
Enid Slack and Tomas Hachard
In an effort to provide financial relief to citizens and local businesses in response to the COVID-19 crisis, some Canadian municipalities are introducing or expanding property tax deferral programs. Designing Property Tax Deferrals answers 10 questions that municipalities should consider when designing property tax deferral programs, highlighting some considerations and implications.
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IMFG Paper | 2020
Power and Purpose: Canadian Municipal Law in Transition
Zack Taylor and Alec Dobson
Zack Taylor and Alec Dobson examine the state of municipal empowerment by presenting an overview of municipal law in Canada’s 10 provinces. They identify similarities and variations within and among the provinces in how they articulate the provincial-municipal relationship, municipal powers and jurisdiction, the organization of municipal institutions, and financial powers.
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Special Projects | 2020
In It Together: Clarifying Provincial-Municipal Responsibilities in Ontario
Gabriel Eidelman, Enid Slack, and Tomas Hachard
This report from Ontario 360, the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance, and the Urban Policy Lab explores the relationship between the Province and Ontario’s 444 municipalities – how it has become so intertwined and why the time has come for a reassessment that ensures Ontarians receive the highest quality, most effective, and most efficient services from their governments.
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IMFG Paper | 2019
The Fallacy of the Creatures of the Provinces Doctrine
Kristin R. Good
This paper explores the place of municipalities in Canada’s democratic system and constitution, arguing that their status in Canada’s constitutional order ought to be recognized and secured.
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Perspectives Paper | 2019
Property Taxes in Canada: Current Issues and Future Prospects
Harry Kitchen, Enid Slack, and Tomas Hachard
This paper examines the current state of property tax policy across Canada and finds that municipalities and provinces are facing a number of shared challenges and questions, including: whether to apply progressive property tax rates, the volatility of property taxes, the benefits and drawbacks of using property tax incentives to attract businesses, and the role of provincial property taxes
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Special Projects | 2019
Summary Report for City of Toronto-TTC Transit Expert Advisory Panel
Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance
In May 2019, the City of Toronto and TTC established an Expert Advisory Panel to provide input and advice to inform the City and TTC’s engagement with the Province on Ontario on the Ontario-Toronto Realignment of Transit Responsibilities Review. IMFG was engaged to help design the panel and facilitated panel discussions on various topics relating to the current state challenges of transit in the Toronto region, role of transit in city building, integrated mobility, governance, and funding.
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Perspectives Paper | 2019
Transit in the Greater Toronto Area: How to Get Back on the Rails
Matti Siemiatycki and Drew Fagan
Toronto is an emerging global city. Yet the failure to build rapid transit in step with the explosive growth of the past 40 years is one of the city-region’s biggest impediments to inclusive development and prosperity. This paper outlines how transit planning in the Greater Toronto Area can be improved through changes to governance and the role of evidence in decision-making.
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Perspectives Paper | 2019
The Evolution of Local Governance in Mexico City: Pursuing Autonomy in a Growing Region
Alejandra Reyes
This paper examines the evolution of Mexico City’s governance structure. The City’s latest transition to a city-state, the paper argues, marks a particularly important step forward in the City’s pursuit of greater political autonomy and democratic decision-making.
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Municipal World: Enid Slack on Municipal Finance
March 5, 2024
Daily Commercial News: Aaron Moore on Winnipeg’s Infrastructure
February 23, 2024
The Public Record: Alexandra Flynn on the ‘Strong Mayor’ Powers
February 22, 2024