The 4.9 per cent property tax hike approved by Ottawa city council two weeks ago will be a little higher than expected.
If you pay property taxes in the city, the tax hike is set to be 5.2 per cent.
If you own rural property your tax bill will rise 6.2 per cent.
Passing the blame
City officials are blaming the provincial government for the unexpected tax hike.
"This is the legacy of the Harris government that brought in capping provisions to protect businesses from the impact of property tax increases," Coun. Alex Cullen told CTV News. "The problem is when you shelter the commercial class someone else has to make up the difference."
Cullen told CTV News city council was unaware of the impact from provincial regulations when they decided on the 4.9 per cent tax hike two weeks ago.
"We all were operating under the impression that it was 4.9," said Cullen. "I can tell you that during the budget debate we did not know about this distributional impact from the provincial regulations."
Water bills also on the rise
Ottawa residents will also soon be hit by an increase in charges on their water bills.
City council voted Wednesday to hike city water bills by nine per cent in each of the next two years.
Council approved the hike by a vote of 18-1.
Most of the increase is intended to go towards replacing the city's oldest water and sewer mains.
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