About Us

The Property Taxpayers Alliance (PTA) is an association of Waterloo Region home owners, business owners and renters who have joined forces to demand dramatic improvements in the “accountability”, “affordability”, and “value-for-money” performance of their local governments (municipal, township and regional).

We advocate for:

1. A significant and measurable improvement in operating efficiency and effectiveness
2. Average annual homeowner cost increases (property taxes, surcharges, service fees) to be brought down to sustainable/affordable levels (i.e. growing at the rate of inflation or less on average).
3. The timely and easily accessible disclosure of information (such as voting records) required to hold mayors and councillors accountable

The PTA is apolitical. We believe in fact-based problem solving. The PTA wishes to work with the region’s councillors and mayors to achieve more efficient, effective, and affordable municipal and regional government. We believe in respectful and constructive engagement.

Current Situation:

Property taxes have been rising at multiples of inflation year-after-year in the Waterloo Region while homeowner incomes have been rising on average at the inflation rate, or less. This is simply not sustainable. It is a recipe for disaster. We all know it. The PTA wants to see a game plan with dates and actions to bring average homeowner cost increases back down in line with their income increases.

Property tax affordability is a major issue in the Waterloo Region. Lower income households are struggling and tax arrears/defaults are rising. Its time to start getting involved to help bring about change. Subscribe to our newsletter. Join the PTA movement.

Budgets should increase on average no faster than the incomes of those who fund those budgets, the property taxpayers.

The cost of infrastructure for new housing developments is increasingly being dumped on the backs of existing property taxpayers. This is wrong. They have already paid for the infrastructure servicing their homes, and they continue to be taxed for its maintenance. They should not also be taxed to pay for the infrastructure required by new housing developments. Growth MUST pay for Growth.

There’s little accountability for cost overruns, which are simply dumped on the backs of homeowners through higher property taxes. Budgets are ballooning with unrealistic salary, wage, and benefit increases, excessive hiring, and the addition of new municipal discretionary services that the majority of residents never even asked for. Questions? Please Contact Us.