Truro and District Chamber of Commerce Policy Resolution

Business Occupancy Tax

Background

In 2005, the Nova Scotia Government announced it was phasing out the Business Occupancy Tax in an attempt to market Nova Scotia as a place to do business. At the time the legislation was introduced, the Nova Scotia Government stated the Business Occupancy Tax, a tax that was paid on the assessed value of a commercial property on top of municipal commercial tax rates, gave the perception of “double property taxation in Nova Scotia.”

The province committed to completely eliminating the BOT by 2010. However, many municipalities have decided to offset their loss of revenue from the elimination of the BOT by increasing commercial tax rates. This totally defeats the purpose of eliminating the Business Occupancy Tax and does nothing to promote Nova Scotia as a place to do business.

Motion

Be it resolved that the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce will actively lobby municipal and provincial governments against the raising of municipal commercial tax rates due to the elimination of the Business Occupancy Tax.

Passed at the 2009 AGM. Expires in 2011 unless renewed