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NSFM believes working together is critical to help our province grow and our communities succeed. NSFM collaborates with its members, other levels of government and stakeholders. Learn More >
NSFM believes our collective voice will have an impact leading to changes that better support our communities and our province. We work to bring our collective views together, to prioritize the areas of most concern, to develop meaningful resolutions and to organize events that reach out to other levels of government. Learn More >
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WHEREAS the CAP program distorts the property tax system; and
WHEREAS it is not clear the homeowners most in need of property tax relief are the ones benefitting from the CAP program; and
WHEREAS municipalities are willing to offer pilot programs that will continue to meet the original objectives of the CAP program though a different approach; and
WHEREAS pilot programs can be evaluated to determine intended and unintended impacts of changes; and
WHEREAS a study on Municipal Property Taxation in Nova Scotia, by academic experts Harry Kitchen and Enid Slack recommended a phase-out of the CAP program;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Province work with municipalities and other stakeholders to phase out the CAP program and provide better alternatives to protect low-income homeowners and those experiencing significant increases in residential property assessments; and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Province enable pilot projects to be undertaken as soon as possible.
View the full text of the resolution
On January 29, 2020, NSFM's proposal to phase out the CAP was introduced to an All-Party Committee . The committee, chaired by NSFM President Pam Mood, includes Keith Irving (Liberal MLA), Tim Houston (Conservative Leader) and Gary Burrill (NDP Leader), along with Department of Municipal Affairs critics Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin (Conservative) and Lisa Roberts (NDP).
In December, 2020, NSFM launched the CAP Map Interactive Tool, designed to help familiarize ratepayers with the effects of the CAP on tax rates. It also features an in-depth analysis of the CAP by MountainMath Software and Analytics, the developers of the tool.
Since the release of the CAP Map tool, attempts to reconvene the Committee have stalled, despite pressure from NSFM to continue movement on the issue.
For further reading on the Capped Assessment Program, please visit the CAP Archive
NSFM has created a new series of webinars with timely topics curated for our members. Tune in on Thursdays. Learn more >
The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund will launch this fall. Follow us on social media, sign-up to the distribution list to receive updates direct to your inbox, or join to the vendor and partners list. Learn more >
NSFM has been providing support to the Province of Nova Scotia to administer the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF). The aim of this collaboration is to provide valuable support and resources to municipalities and to raise the profile of federally-funded local initiatives. Learn More >