This story is original Appears on Canadian National Observer and be a part of Climate table cooperation.
A plan to charge Toronto homeowners and businesses for paved surfaces on their properties is creating a public backlash, a wave of protests. negative international media attentionand even comments mocking the word Donald Trump Jr..
Opposition reached a boiling point last week when the city canceled public hearings on the tax, which was intended to help recoup hundreds of millions of dollars spent managing stormwater and basement flooding.
Dubbed the “rain tax” by critics, including the son of the former US president on XOne The SkyNews host also condemned it plan and discourages people from visiting Canada's largest city saying: “You thought it couldn't get any worse… Don't come to Toronto because they'll tax you when it rains.”
Hard surface area will determine controversial stormwater fees on non-absorbent property, such as roofs, driveways, parking lots or concrete landscaping.
“When we have a heavy rain, basements flood, roads flood, sewage overflows and flows into our lakes or rivers,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. post videos online on X. “Rainwater slides off paved surfaces instead of seeping into the ground. It overwhelms our water infrastructure, causing damage to your home and the environment.”
The new fee will adjust water bills to reduce water consumption and add a stormwater fee based on property size and hard surface area.
Online The public consultations will be followed by public meetings. However, after less than a week, online consultations were carried out. pause and public meetings were canceled. The city claims The delay was necessary so staff could find ways to integrate the new fee into the city's broader climate resilience strategy.
Chow said she wants the city to offer residents financial incentives to plant gardens in their backyards or install permeable pavement to help drain rain.
“I don't think it's fair to have a stormwater policy that requires homeowners to pay while letting businesses with large parking lots off the hook,” Chow said. Many businesses with large paved areas, such as parking lots, do not have to pay water bills and therefore do not contribute to stormwater management.
“That's why I'm asking Toronto Water to come back to city council with a plan that supports more green infrastructure, prevents flooding and keeps your water bills low,” Chow said.
Last year city budget, the 10-year plan (2023 to 2032) allocates $4.3 billion for stormwater management, including the $2.11 billion Basement Flood Protection Program. Last year alone, the city invested $225.3 million in the basement program.
Other nearby cities, such as Mississauga, VaughanAnd Markhamhas been paying for rainwater for a long time.
In its email response, the City of Vaughan said its stormwater fees support many citywide programs and initiatives that help protect the environment, property and water quality. The city says Vaughan's 2024 storm water rates are $64.20 annually for a detached residential unit, up from last year's rate of $58.63.
