National

City Bylaw Can Discriminate In Setting Property Tax Rates: B.C. Judge

The Canadian Press, 27 Jan, 2015 10:58 AM

VANCOUVER — A B.C. Supreme Court judge says a Vancouver Island city can discriminate when it sets two separate tax rates for forestry lands within its municipal boundaries.

The judicial review launched by TimberWest (TSX:TWF.UN) focuses on property that is classified as managed forest lands in Campbell River and is also owned by Merill & Ring Canadian Properties Inc.

A bylaw passed in May 2014 required TimberWest to pay a tax rate that was about two and a half times higher than what Merill & Ring was required to pay and will jump to about five times as much by 2016.

TimberWest argued that the Local Government Act requires tax rates to be imposed on a designated area and set across a property class as a whole.

But Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon says the company's argument doesn't hold up when the sections of the act it cites are read in the context of the Community Charter and the legislature's intention.

Fenlon dismissed TimberWest's request for a judicial review, saying the Local Government Act exempts the city from having to apply the same tax rate to lands within the same class.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada ends gold-medal drought at world juniors with 5-4 win over Russia

TORONTO — Canada's gold-medal drought at the world junior hockey championship is over.

Canada ends gold-medal drought at world juniors with 5-4 win over Russia

Canadian resident still detained in Egypt despite release order, family says

TORONTO — An ailing Canadian resident remains under detention in a hospital in Egypt despite an order given more than a week ago by the country's attorney general for his release, his family said Tuesday.

Canadian resident still detained in Egypt despite release order, family says

White House issues veto threat on Keystone pipeline bill

WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama would veto legislation approving construction of the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline.

White House issues veto threat on Keystone pipeline bill

Feds in court today fighting against long-term expats' right to vote

TORONTO — Ontario's top court begins grappling today with the issue of whether long-term Canadian expats should have the right to vote.

Feds in court today fighting against long-term expats' right to vote

Charges Laid In B.C. Following November Cross-border Drug Bust: RCMP

VANCOUVER — Drug charges have been laid in British Columbia against two men accused of trying to import 29 kilograms of cocaine from the United States.

Charges Laid In B.C. Following November Cross-border Drug Bust: RCMP

Wynne says Harper meeting was positive, but he made no funding commitments

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne received no specific commitments from Prime Minister Stephen Harper at their first face-to-face meeting in more than a year, but being able to meet in person was a step forward, she said.