Item - 2022.AA18.6
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee on June 13, 2022 and was adopted with amendments.
- See also EX34.39
AA18.6 - Potential to Review a Voluntary Property Tax Contribution to Support Reconciliation and Justice
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Decision
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the City Manager to, as part of the 2023 budget process, develop a dedicated source of revenue to fully implement the Reconciliation Action Plan and present any recommendations to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee in 2023.
Origin
Summary
The City of Toronto's reconciliation efforts between non-Indigenous Torontonians and Indigenous communities in Toronto continues with the recent release of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
There is a program that originated in Victoria, B.C., which provides homeowners with the opportunity to tangibly, directly, and meaningfully participate in Toronto's reconciliation efforts through a voluntary financial contribution.
The City and its residents economically benefit from the enduring process of colonialism, and the voluntary financial contribution is a method that can help undo the colonial process that allows the City to profit from operating on stolen Indigenous territory.
For homeowners to make this contribution, they can decide to add a certain percentage (in Victoria, homeowners can add between five and 10 percent) to their annual property tax bill. The City will then delegate these contributions to Indigenous communities, along with Indigenous-led organizations, projects, and programming confronting social ills, such as inaccessibility to affordable housing, afflicting Indigenous communities. This action can help ensure that City Council will not redirect these contributions.
The voluntary financial contribution is a symbolic and collective action that can provide Toronto's Indigenous communities with additional resources. It could be a meaningful step toward reconciliation, and provide financial means to make reconciliation possible.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/aa/bgrd/backgroundfile-226566.pdf
Communications
Speakers
Miguel Avila-Velarde
Motions
That the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee delete the following recommendation:
1. City Council request the City Manager to review the Voluntary Property Tax Contribution option used in Victoria, British Columbia, and determine if a similar program can be implemented in Toronto.
and replace it with the following new recommendation:
1. City Council direct the City Manager to, as part of the 2023 budget process, develop a dedicated source of revenue to fully implement the Reconciliation Action Plan and present any recommendations to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee in 2023.