This story was originally Published in the Canadian National Observer and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
A plan to charge Toronto homeowners and businesses for paved surfaces on their properties has sparked a public backlash, negative international media attention and even derisive comments from the public. ing. donald trump jr..
The outcry reached such a climax last week that the city canceled a public hearing on the tax, which was meant to offset hundreds of millions of dollars spent on stormwater and basement flooding.
Dubbed a “rain tax” by critics, including the son of a former U.S. president on Xthe Sky News presenter also condemned the plan, saying, “You thought it couldn't get any worse…don't go to Toronto because when it rains, you get taxed.” discouraged people from visiting the city.
The amount of hard surface area determines the stormwater burden for properties that do not absorb water, such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and concrete landscaping.
“When it rains heavily, basements flood, streets flood and sewage overflows and flows into lakes and rivers,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Online video submission to X. “Rather than being absorbed into the ground, rainwater slides off paved surfaces. It overwhelms our water infrastructure and damages homes and the environment.”
The new rates adjust water rates to reduce water usage and add stormwater fees based on property size and hard surface area.
online The public consultation was to be followed by a public meeting. However, within a week, online consultations were suspended and public meetings were canceled. The city argues the delay is necessary so staff can find a way to combine the new fees with the city's broader climate resilience strategy.
Chau said he hopes the city will offer financial incentives to residents to plant backyard gardens and install permeable paving to drain rain.
“I don't think it's fair to have a stormwater policy that requires homeowners to pay but holds businesses with large parking lots accountable,” Chow said. Many businesses with large paved areas, such as parking lots, do not 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 to support greener infrastructure, prevent flooding, and keep water bills low,” Chow said. .
Last year's city budget allocated $4.3 billion for stormwater management in a 10-year plan (2023-2032), including a $2.11 billion underground water protection program. Last year alone, the city invested $225.3 million in underground projects.
Nearby cities such as Mississauga, Vaughan and Markham have long had stormwater fees.
The city of Vaughan said in an email response that stormwater fees support numerous programs and initiatives throughout the city aimed at protecting the environment, property and water quality. According to the city of Vaughan, stormwater rates in 2024 will be $64.20 per year per single-family home, up from $58.63 last year.