Barriers to Mobility: Land Transfer Taxes as a Municipal Revenue Tool
Webinar with Ben Dachis, Shelley Carroll and Jason Mercer
Sponsored by:
The City of Toronto is considering an increase in the municipal land transfer tax for homes valued at over $2 million, with a City Council debate scheduled for July 14. Join the C.D. Howe Institute on July 13 for a panel discussion on whether Toronto’s land transfer tax, now the highest in the nation, should be further raised as a measure to address current budgetary challenges.
C.D. Howe Institute events and webinars are open to members and their guests.
Please contact Tammy Trepanier, Senior Event Planner, to register: ttrepanier@cdhowe.org.
Ben Dachis, Director of Public Affairs, C.D. Howe Institute
Benjamin Dachis is Director of Public Affairs for the C.D. Howe Institute. In his role, he furthers the Institute’s mission to improve Canada’s economic performance by enhancing the visibility, reputation and impact of its research and activities. Benjamin started with the C.D. Howe Institute in 2006 as a Research Fellow and also has experience with major U.S. and U.K. think tanks. He returned to the C.D. Howe Institute as a Policy Analyst in January of 2008, became a Senior Policy Analyst in 2011, and Associate Director, Research in 2016. From 2018 to 2019 he was the Director of Policy, Budget and Fiscal Planning for the Premier of Ontario. He was part of the Ontario government’s leadership team in developing a number of policies, including the Housing Supply Action Plan, the 2018 Fall Economic Statement and the 2019 Budget. He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Science in Regional Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Shelley Carroll, City Councillor for Ward 17 (Don Valley North), City of Toronto
Shelley Carroll was first elected to City Council in 2003 and now represents the ward of Don Valley North. During her time on Council, she has served as the City's Budget Chief through the 2008 financial crisis, reforming the City's budget to include the Municipal Land Transfer Tax, and creating a budgetary reserve which solidified the City's credit. In her current capacity on the City's Budget and Economic & Community Development Committees, Councillor Carroll continues to advocate modernizing the City's budget to meet the needs of an emerging global city.
Jason Mercer, Chief Market Analyst and Director of Service Channels, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB)
Jason Mercer is the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s Chief Market Analyst and Director of Service Channels. He leads TRREB’s market analysis program that provides products and services that help REALTORS® and their clients fully understand trends in the GTA housing market and underlying economic drivers. Jason also oversees TRREB’s MLS® Services Department and the delivery of information and data products to the TRREB Membership.
Jason has private and public sector experience in the real estate industry, having previously held positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Science in Planning degree from the University of Toronto.
Jason is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, a Registered Professional Planner with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and a Member of Lambda Alpha International, the Land Economics Society.
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