The government has announced a property tax freeze, which will apply to most properties. However, nearly 13,000 homeowners will have to pay more this year, not to mention municipal tax increases.
The Gallant Government’s property tax freeze, in the wake of the property assessment fiasco, applies to the majority of homeowners in New Brunswick. But there are exceptions.
There is no freeze on new construction, renovations and sold properties. In total, 12,839 homeowners out of more than 400,000 will receive an increase in their property taxes these days.
However, thousands of other homeowners will still receive a higher bill. This annual bill includes both property taxes and municipal taxes. And 49% of municipalities decided to increase their taxes in 2018.
For example, Saint-Louis-de-Kent will increase its municipal taxes by $50 from the $100,000 assessment. It will be $42 in Neguac, $40 in Rivière-Verte and $35 in Saint-Isidore.
Other cities where homeowners will pay higher taxes include Dieppe, Richibucto, Bouctouche, Grand Falls, St. Quentin, Shediac, Cap Pelé, St. Antoine and Atholville.
The three major cities, Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John, did not increase this year.
It is the decision of municipalities to increase their taxes because of the Gallant government’s decision.
Brian MacDonald, Progressive Conservative MP for Fredericton West-Hanwell
The Official Opposition believes that the increases in municipalities are related to the freeze imposed by the government. Last year, the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick feared that this freeze would force some municipalities to increase their taxes.
Progressive Conservative MP Brian MacDonald says the government should have frozen taxes at their 2016 level because of the misfires in 2017.
