Highlights from the Provincial Budget | |
The 2022 Ontario Spring Budget announced that the province’s Property Assessment and Taxation Review has concluded. While MPAC did not get a date for the Assessment Update, it indicated that input from the review would be used to help inform the government’s plans regarding the timing and valuation date for future reassessments.
The budget highlighted key outcomes of the Review including MPAC’s first Corporate Performance Report, enhancements made to the Property Assessment Notices to provide greater clarity for property owners, as well as improvements that we are exploring to improve delivery of digital assessment products.
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2021 Annual Report now available | |
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The past year’s focus has been on asking ourselves who we are as an organization, what role we play in Ontario and looking at how we can do more to help communities overcome obstacles that impact municipal and business operations. With the province-wide assessment update on pause, MPAC took the year as an opportunity to focus on the other ways we provide value, and reflect on how we can improve our services. Read the full 2021 Annual Report to learn more.
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Home Improvement Movement | |
For the second straight year Ontario saw a significant increase in total residential building permits, with more than 122,000 building permits issued across Ontario in 2021 for new development as well as home improvement. This represents a 15% increase from the previous year – continuing a trend that saw a 9% increase from the year before.
Residential home improvement permits were also up by 18%, to nearly 70,000. These permits were for home improvements including renovations/additions, swimming pools, sheds, garages and decks. Read more.
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By the numbers: Ontario's top municipalities for 2021 home improvements | |
For the second straight year, the City of Brampton topped the list for home improvements, with 7,382 residential home improvement permits in 2021. This represents a 29% increase from the previous year – continuing a trend that saw a 70% increase from 2019. Brampton was also the provincial leader in renovations/additions building permits, issuing 7,133 such permits, an increase of 29% from the previous year. Read more.
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Residential Shed Permits up 18% | |
Amid the continued surge in renovations, sheds were a popular home improvement in 2021, according to analysis of Ontario building permits. We counted 4,223 residential shed permits issued in 2021, an increase of 18% over the previous year. To require a permit, a shed must be a minimum size, so this category includes large, stylish sheds that have become increasingly popular as separate living/workspace or backyard getaway. Read more.
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Record $40.4 billion in new assessment projected for 2022 | |
Through the Revised New Assessment Forecast delivered to every municipality, MPAC has identified a target of $40.4 billion in available new construction, additions, and renovations across Ontario this year.
“Throughout the course of the pandemic, we have seen a large increase in activity, such as additions and renovations to residential homes,” commented Dan Devellis, Director, Valuation and Customer Relations and lead of MPAC’s New Assessment Project Team. “This makes 2022 a milestone year for MPAC.”
The annual New Assessment Forecast is based on the new construction MPAC expects will be available in the current year, analyzing building plans for new residential homes, condos, and commercial and industrial projects.
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Watch: Property Assessment 101 | |
Check out our latest playlist on YouTube for sharable videos for property owners about how to read our Property Assessment Notice, how sales affect property assessments, and to learn more about what MPAC Property Inspectors look for.
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AMO Partners with Electronic Permitting System Provider Cloudpermit | |
Last year, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) partnered with MPAC to work towards increasing knowledge of electronic permitting technology with the goal of improving municipal administrative and operational efficiencies.
AMO, and their business services arm, Local Authority Services (LAS), then launched a search for a preferred digital provider of electronic building permits and is partnering with Cloudpermit to offer municipalities a digital platform to manage building permits more efficiently and effectively.
AMO selected Cloudpermit through a competitive bidding process. For the search, AMO was supported by an evaluation committee that included representatives from the Ontario Building Officials’ Association (OBOA), the Municipal Information Systems Association of Ontario (MISA ON), MPAC as well as AMO and LAS staff. Learn more.
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MPAC Update at the 2022 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference | |
At this year’s ROMA conference, Nicole McNeill, MPAC President and Chief Administrative Officer, Alan Spacek, Chair, MPAC Board of Directors, and Carmelo Lipsi, MPAC Vice-President, Valuation and Customer Relations and Chief Operating Officer, gave an MPAC update, including highlights of our 2021 Assessment Roll Return.
Watch a recording of the presentation for these updates and hear about our municipal sector initiatives including preparations for this year’s municipal elections and our exploration of digital delivery of the annual Assessment Roll.
| One point of contact for MPPs and their staff | Looking for assistance in responding to a constituent’s concerns regarding their assessment? Perhaps your office would like some information to add to your website or newsletter? Please reach out to our Manager of Government Relations, James Harvey at james.harvey@mpac.ca or at 647-484-1555. | | | | |
