Municipal Council calls on local members of parliament to make their voices heard on NCC tax payments
March 17, 2021
The Municipal Council today is calling on Outaouais Members of Parliament, William Amos, Greg Fergus and Steve McKinnon, to denounce the ongoing delay on the part of the National Capital Commission (NCC) in responding to the recommendations of the Federal Government's own Dispute Advisory Panel (DAP) regarding their failure since 2018 to pay their full payments in lieu of taxes to Chelsea.
“We have now been waiting over more than three weeks and it appears that the NCC is seriously considering rejecting the recommendations” said Mayor Caryl Green. She added: “The questions for our area MPs are: whether or not they believe in fairness; whether they believe in the Federal Government's own dispute resolution process; and whether they believe promises made by the NCC mean anything ?"
The Municipal Council calls on the MPs to act in the interest of their constituents, to add their public support and to bring the matter to the attention of the Government. They are also asking for an opportunity to address the Board of the NCC. "There has to be accountability somewhere" said Mayor Green.
Quick facts
- The dispute has been ongoing since 2018 and concerns the non-payment to Chelsea of payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for parts of the Gatineau Park within Chelsea’s boundaries.
- Taxpayers in Chelsea have been forced to make up the difference.
- On February 20th, 2021 the Federal Government's own Dispute Advisory Panel (DAP) released its unanimous advice: It recommended that the NCC establish its payments based on a value equal to 96% of what Chelsea had asked for.
- In January 2019, the CEO of the NCC promised in writing to follow the conclusions of the DAP.
