Province to review justice centre taxes

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

The Premier of Nova Scotia says he will revisit the idea of justice centres paying property tax to municipalities.

Speaking with The Vanguard, Rodney MacDonald said the rural caucus of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities made the request and he's bringing it to Jamie Muir, the minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Right now justice centres do not pay property tax to municipalities, giving municipal units grants in lieu of taxes. But as new justice centres begin to spring up around the province, many municipal politicians believe it's time for the province to start paying taxes.

MacDonald agreed that it is time to revisit the issue.

"It's only in the last few years that we're really seeing a reinvestment by the province in new justice facilities," he said.

MacDonald said he wants to review the information and determine the financial impacts if they ever were to change the policy and how many municipal units would be impacted by such a change.

The premier said the province followed a similar process a few years ago with respect to universities to the benefit of several municipalities

"We do take a look at these issues from time to time and I have made the commitment to take this into consideration and have it reviewed and then to respond appropriately," he said.