Businesses suing Montreal's South Shore city over parking tax

Amanpreet Atwal says his family's trucking company's municipal taxes have doubled this year. That's an increase of about $20,000.

“There doesn't seem to be a good reason for it,” said Atwal, who manages sales and operations at GS Liner Transport in Boucherville, Que.

It's one of more than a dozen businesses suing Boucherville in hopes of getting the new asphalt tax overturned.

The tax means that owners of industrial lots will pay $1 per square meter of asphalt, and owners of commercial buildings will pay $1.75.

Boucherville, on the south shore of Montreal, has large residential areas and many shopping areas, with large hardware stores and businesses such as Ikea with large parking lots.

Then there is the huge industrial park in the eastern part of the city – a park full of huge warehouses and factories. Municipal revenues from the industrial sector have long provided lower property taxes in a city with an ice rink complex and a large water sports center.

Atwal questions the huge tax increase when his company does not benefit from municipal services. Boucherville officials, on the other hand, say they want to use the tax revenue to create green space.

The affected businesses say the tax is unfair and abusive because they have a separate law that requires them to have certain parking spaces.

Boucherville is not the first city to impose such a tax. For example, Montreal imposes a parking tax.

According to Montreal's website, a parking tax is charged for parking spaces reserved for non-residential buildings. In some areas of the city center, a tax is charged for indoor and outdoor parking. In other areas, parking tax is charged only for outdoor parking spaces larger than 10,000 square meters.

One environmental group says the case could set a legal precedent.

“I think big, artificial areas like parking and truck maneuvers pay more,” said Blaise Remillard. Montreal Regional Council.

Boucherville officials declined to comment because the matter is in court. But a spokeswoman said the Union of Quebec Municipalities has asked for support.

press secretary Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) said Quebec municipalities play a key role in combating and adapting to climate change.

“They also have eco-fiscal powers as tools that encourage sustainable practices and positively influence the behavior of local actors at the business or citizen level,” Leah Carrier said in a statement.

“Boucherville, like other municipalities, should be able to regulate without the legal risks associated with climate action.”