York Region offers property tax relief program for seniors

NEWMARKET – York Regional Council today has reinstated a policy to provide interest-free deferral of property tax increases for senior homeowners, age 65 and older.

"Reinstating this policy is a fair decision for our senior homeowners," says Bill Fisch, Regional Chair and CEO.  "In light of recent provincial legislation changes, Council took the appropriate step to reinstate this By-law which offers a form of financial relief to senior homeowners."

In 1998, Council approved a policy and by-law to provide relief on tax increases for seniors and low income disabled persons.  In June 2003, the Province enacted the Ontario Home Property Tax Relief for Seniors Act, 2003. The Act provided homeowners, who are at least 65 years of age, with a refund which was equal to the education portion of property tax paid on their principal residence.  

In December 2003, the Provincial Act was repealed before any senior homeowners received an education tax grant.

"York Region's population is growing older," says Town of Markham Mayor Donald Cousens, Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee.  "Once we weighed the benefit to our senior homeowners, there was a definite need to reinstate the by-law."

According to the 2001 census, there are over 66,000 seniors age 65 and older in York Region of which more than 28,300 seniors own their own home and would be eligible to receive a deferral under the reinstated policy.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at: www.region.york.on.ca

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Contact:            Masrine Guthrie-Peart, Corporate Communications, York Region

- (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1236

- Email: masrine.guthire-peart@region.york.on.ca

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

• (905) 830-4444, ext. 1235
• Email: patrick.casey@region.york.on.ca