STEPHEN RICCIO
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC March 24, 2021
Pontiac MP Will Amos voiced his support in favour of Municipality of Chelsea versus the National Capital Commission (NCC) with regard to the recent Payment in lieu of taxes Dispute Advisory Panel (DAP) recommendation that the NCC compensate the former with $590,000 in tax compensation.
The DAP’s decision has direct implications for the Municipality of Pontiac, as MoP Mayor Joanne Labadie told THE EQUITY that . . .
the NCC owes the municipality $134,071 in taxes from the 2020 fiscal year, which she said cost residents an additional $14 per $100,000 of evaluated property.
While Chelsea had the non-binding DAP decision go its way in February, the MoP will not have its actual hearing with the panel until sometime next year, according to Labadie.
While Amos did not specifically comment on the MoP’s situation, given that it has yet to be heard by the advisory panel, he asserted that he has been very engaged behind the scenes with all of the parties involved, especially the NCC.
“I’ve been sensitizing our government to the importance of this dispute, and underlining and emphasizing the importance of achieving a resolution consistent with the dispute advisory panel, the DAP, recommendations,” Amos told THE EQUITY in an interview.
He said that while the NCC, an independent crown corporation, does not have an obligation to “act according to the dictates of regional politicians,” the commission has a responsibility to seek a resolution as a member of the community.
“The NCC has an obligation to live up to its community responsibilities,” Amos said. “When there’s a dispute around payment in lieu of taxes, there’s a process.
“I am hopeful that a resolution to this dispute will be achieved in alignment with the recommendations,” he added.
Labadie had previously voiced her hope that regional politicians would speak out in favour of Chelsea and the Pontiac in the dispute with the NCC, in what she described as a “David and Goliath battle.”
The NCC’s most recent position on the DAP’s recommendation is that it is reviewing the findings, although it is not legally required to abide by them given its non-binding nature.
