Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington and PC Leadership candidate, announced today that he would eliminate the embattled Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and allow the local municipality to control the assessments of property.
“MPAC is an out of touch, out of control bureaucracy that ignores the interests of taxpayers and property owners.” Hillier said. “Local democracy begins with local taxation and property owners deserve better than an unaccountable bureaucracy that answers to no one.”
“The Government of Ontario should abolish MPAC and make amendments to the Municipal Act which would allow cities, towns and municipalities to control the assessment system.”
In 2006, after a five-month investigation the Ontario Ombudsman André Marin criticized MPAC. He said it has a "superiority complex" engaged in "cloak and dagger behaviour" and "cutthroat manoeuvring around property owners."
“Getting rid of an out of control bureaucracy is exactly why I got into politics in the first place,” said Hillier.
“Transferring the role of property assessment to the local level will ensure a fair, open and accountable system. By restoring this duty to elected local authorities we are increasing accountability, which will ensure a system that meets the needs of taxpayers.”
The Hillier campaign is anchored by three central principles: Freedom, Justice and Democracy.
Randy Hillier was first elected to the Ontario legislature in October 2007 – winning one of three new seats for the PC Party of Ontario – and was the party’s critic for rural affairs.
For more information, please visit [url=http://www.randyhillier.com]http://www.randyhillier.com[/url]
