Taxes are a fact of life, many people don’t understand what do property taxes pay for. In Toronto, they’ve been falsely told that our politicians have been wasting tax dollars but that simply is not the case. Property taxes pay for the services we use every day, whereas our Canadian income taxes cover major things like health care and employment insurance.

Regardless of where you live, if you want better services; taxes are what pays for them.

What property taxes in Canada pay for

Transit – Many people (myself included) complain about the transit options in Canada compared to other countries around the world. The thing is, those countries get help from the federal level to help pay for transit. In Canada, our provincial & federal governments help pay for expansions, but the day-to-day costs are funded from property taxes and cash fares. If we want better transit then we’ll need to pay or it.

Libraries – Some politicians complain that there are too many libraries and they’re a waste of money, this is ridiculous. Who wouldn’t want free access to books, movies, computers and programs?

Emergency services – Our property taxes pay for keeping our streets safe. In Canada, we’re fortunate to have excellent police services that help keep our crime rates down. Firefighters and paramedics also fall under emergency services and I’d rather not have those cut just to save a few dollars a year. We’re talking about life and death here after all.

Garbage / Snow removal – Breaking news, it snows in Canada. Ontario and Quebec were hit hard last year by the ice storm, and this past September Calgary got an early visit from winter. In both situations the local cities were able to quickly respond with snow removal because of their budgets which comes from property taxes. Money well spent.

Water supply &  waste treatment – Water is essential to life. Think about how many people out there don’t have access to clean drinking water. I’m happy to pay whatever for clean water.

Recreational programs – Recreational programs are possible because of the property taxes we pay. Swimming pools, ice rinks, tennis lessons, camps, parks, and drop-in programs are just a few things that we can take advantage of for free or on the cheap. Be sure to sign up early for these since they tend to fill up quickly.

Schools – It’s awesome to live in a country where getting an education is free. Some of our Canadian income taxes help pay for schools but it’s our property taxes that have helped introduce student nutrition programs at some schools.

Final thoughts
Property taxes in Canada also help pay for social housing, child services, road repairs and much more. In Toronto, we like to complain about high our property taxes are but surrounding cities actually pay more than those who live in the GTA. Regardless of where you live, understand that you can’t live in a great city without paying your share of fair property taxes.

It’s impossible to cut taxes and expect services to remain the same or to improve, hopefully, the people of Toronto have elected a new Mayor that understands this.

Here’s my picks of the top free Toronto Attractions.

Nathan Philips Square

Toronto’s City Hall is the main draw here but the revitalization that’s been going on has locals coming back.   Just above all the concrete, the City Hall podium roof has turned into a public garden offering solace from the politics below.  The permanent theatre stage has live performances during many of the festivals held here and don’t forget to check out the Peace Garden which has relocated to the west side of the square.

TIFF Bell Lightbox

A must see for all film buffs, the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the official home of the Toronto International Film Festival.  Inside you’ll find a museum which celebrates all things film and if you really want to geek out be sure to check out the film archives which houses the worlds largest collection of film resources.  Sometimes the touring exhibitions are free so check the website before visiting.

St. Lawrence Market

This is my favourite free Toronto attraction; Butchers, bakers, fishmongers, you’ll find them all and much more but if you’re a tourist you’ll want to sample some of the goods right away.  Toronto is the birthplace of Canadian bacon so trying it is a must, but before you grab that peameal on a bun, scope out the lower level of the market where you’ll find even more food options for round 2.

The Beach

Located in the east of Toronto, The Beach as it’s formally known is a short streetcar ride from downtown and plays host to the International Jazz Festival every year.  The beach offers something for everyone with parks, playgrounds, bike paths, a boardwalk, volleyball nets, a skate park, and of course the beach itself.  If you need to refuel head up to Queen st. where you’ll have plenty of options, I recommend Queen Margherita Pizza and The Burger’s Priest.

Art Gallery of Ontario

Every Wednesday night this attraction is free from 6-8:30pm.  As you can imagine the Canadian collection is quite popular but with other collections including European, Photography, Modern and Contemporary there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.  It’s hard to believe but the reimagination of the building a few years back by Toronto born architect Frank Gehry  was actually his first piece done in Canada.

Kensington Market / Chinatown

“Market” is a loose term here since it’s really just streets with stores but still a popular destination where you can find just about anything including vintage clothing, spices, restaurant supplies, and even military clothing.  If you’re a foodie Kensington and Chinatown offer food from all over South America and Asia so don’t go all-in at your first stop.

Centre Island

Need a break from the city? Jump on a ferry ($4.50-$7) and head over to the Toronto islands where you’ll get the best view of Toronto.  There’s plenty to do here for the day with a small beach, bike rentals, and the Centreville amusement park for the kids.  Food options are limited so you may want to pack a lunch and have a picnic.

BATA Show Museum

Not just for those with a shoe fetish, the Bata Shoe Museum explores the history of shoes, their cultural significance and of course there’s a section dedicated to celebrity foot ware.  Thursdays from 5-8pm admission to the museum is pay what you can, $8-14 at all other times.

Niagara Falls

Free Toronto attractions don’t apply just to the city, if you’re a first-time visitor you’re going to want to make a trip to see Niagara Falls.  The attractions nearby the falls are very touristy but still a must-see for first-time visitors, if you’re feeling lucky head over to the Fallsview Casino.  Easily accessible by Megabus, Coach Canada or Greyhound, Niagara Falls is worth the trip.