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Property Assessments for Ontario Horse Farms
Update: Feb 13, 2005
Great news! The Minister of Finance, Greg Sorbara, issued a News Release Feb. 3, 2005.
'Pending the outcome of the review, the Minister of Finance has requested that MPAC not make any further changes to the classification of equestrian facilities.' This is a big step in the right direction. We are optimistic but there is still a lot of work to do.
The first meeting 'to develop appropriate criteria for assessing equestrian facilities' is Monday Feb 14th. Finance has arranged a meeting with OMAF, MPAC, the chairs of the ARE MPAC Committee and an OEF Executive Director. We have had many advisors throughout this process and we are well prepared to present the issues and recommendations. Thanks to everyone for their input. Greg Sorbara wants a report within 30 days! (i.e. by Mar 3).
The Chairs of the ARE MPAC Committee are also meeting with the OFA's Farm Finance, Trade and Taxation Standing Committee on Tuesday, Feb 15th.
Toronto CTV news is covering this on Monday, Feb 14th at 6PM. The Toronto Sunday Sun had a large article Feb 6th and the Toronto Star is delayed (on vacation - maybe March!).
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:
Keep the letter writing campaign going. You can add your own personal notes to the letters!
Contact your town councilors and MPP's to help them understand the issues and how devastating this will be if not turned around. Help people understand that horses are livestock, the 'large' buildings and land we need to house them, the farming activities that we do in caring for them, the large amounts of hay, grain and bedding we use, etc, etc. The activities and expenses are very similar to that of other farmers - whether they have beef, hogs or sheep. Livestock identification, Nutrient management and Greenbelt issues affect all of us. We are the same as racehorse maintenance and racehorse maintenance is assessed as farming! Our businesses are agricultural in nature - we should be assessed as such for property taxes. When running a horse farm business, of course we will pay 'income tax' as any business or farmer will. Lessons, boarding, trail rides and camps are value-added activities for the farm. Today breeding, raising livestock, training, showing are considered farming. If you would like a written summary of issues and recommendations, contact us at JLnet@Quixnet.net.
There is a ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipalities Association) conference Feb 20-22. It would be helpful for the Mayors, councilors and MPP's to understand the issues before this.
PLEASE keep informing horse owners, barn owners, riders, friends, news media and service providers of the situation and direct them to the updates and the letter writing campaign at the OEF site www.horse.on.ca. There is a detailed summary on the OEF site that could be very helpful for barn owners needing more information. You may call us if you have questions. Leslie Brooks and Jim Waechter 519-696-3688.
We need to hear from anyone who has been assessed as commercial (I heard from 1 large facility that was assessed as industrial). We need to understand as many situations throughout the province as possible. Assessments are very inconsistent. Thanks for your help!
Remember - for updates and the letter writing campaign - see OEF site www.horse.on.ca
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