Editor, The News:
What has the city done to justify a 53-per-cent increase in taxes from 2007, writes Ian Strachan of Thornhill/Albion? (Letters, June 3).
The city has developed the area and likely doubled the value of your property.
Your taxes are based on your increased value of your home. Â Just like if you got a raise, you would be paying more taxes on that.
While the value of your house may be increasing greater than your income – that simply means you are effectively getting more retirement wealth.
If you are retired and 60 years old, the B.C. government has a great plan that will allow you to defer your property taxes.
I find it hard to understand how people have gained thousands in wealth and then complain because they pay a few hundred more to keep it.
Dan Banov
Maple Ridge
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