As Toronto’s mayoral candidates announce their plans to fix the city’s cost of living crisis, a number of candidates have rejected Josh Matlow’s proposal of a parking lot tax to fund his net-zero climate change proposal.
In April, the Matlow campaign announced a plan to spend $200 million annually on a net-zero climate change program that would be funded by a parking lot tax.
Both Anthony Furey and Brad Bradford have denounced the idea of imposing a parking lot tax on business owners.
Furey – who is on leave as True North’s vice-president of editorial and content – told True North that as mayor, he would not support the implementation of a parking lot tax, saying that such a tax would only contribute to the cost-of-living crisis.
“A parking levy would just be passed on to regular folks as new fees,” says Furey.
“We’re facing an affordability crisis and this is the last thing people need.”
Furey also rejected the idea the the city of Toronto needed to spend $200 million annually to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
“People I speak to want a focus on core services, which have suffered in recent years. The priority must be on public safety, easing congestion and tax relief – not funding climate activism,” says Furey.
Instead Furey insisted that the city conduct a program review and halt the introduction of any new taxes.
“Toronto residents are being taxed enough. As Mayor of Toronto, I will halt any plans for new taxes.”
Bradford also spoke to True North on the matter, calling further tax hikes on small business owners a “disaster.”
“We need less talk and more action at City Hall to make life more affordable, not new taxes that make life more expensive for people and businesses in this city,” says Bradford.
The parking lot tax has generated some outrage on social media, as prominent psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson ridiculed the plan on Twitter.
“How about up yours woke moralists. Save the bloody planet with your own money,” tweeted Peterson.
The Ana Bailão campaign told True North that Bailão will be revealing her position on the parking lot tax and other revenue tools in the coming months.
