Manitoba's tax changes will help many despite raising more money, the premier says

Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew continues to push for a property tax overhaul that the opposition has criticized as taxing the middle class.

The recent provincial budget will eliminate the consolidation of rebates and credits for education taxes on residential and commercial properties starting next year.

Instead, the government will give homeowners a $1,500 loan.

It's a change that the government says will result in savings to property owners rated below $437,000 based on the local school tax rate, and will benefit 83 percent of homeowners, according to Kinnew.

But City of Winnipeg data shows there are tens of thousands of homes valued above that level, and the opposition Progressive Conservatives say many homeowners in the suburbs are feeling the pinch.

The overall tax change, which includes commercial properties, single-family homes and multi-family rental properties, will add $148 million a year to provincial coffers.