09/11/2026
𝗧𝗔𝗫 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗬 – 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦
This guide explains when municipal taxes are due, what happens when an account becomes overdue, and how residents can address outstanding balances. The Town follows a clear, fair and consistent collection process for residential and commercial accounts.
𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
• Annual taxes are due on or before March 31.
• If your account is overdue, contact the Town as soon as possible.
• Do not ignore a collection notice. Early communication provides the best opportunity to discuss available options.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆?
Municipal taxes and fees support essential Town services, including roads, water and sewer services, fire protection, recreation and snow clearing. Council adopted the Tax Collection Policy to ensure overdue accounts are managed fairly, consistently and transparently. The policy applies to both residential and commercial accounts.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲?
Annual tax invoices are issued no later than January 31. Taxes are due on or before March 31 each year.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱?
If taxes are not paid by March 31, interest is calculated and added monthly at the rate established annually by Council. For supplementary tax invoices issued during the year, interest begins 30 days after the invoice is sent.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘂𝗲?
The Town does not move immediately to enforcement. The normal process includes a first reminder, a second reminder, and a third and final reminder. Residents will have an opportunity to contact the Town and make acceptable payment arrangements. If an account remains unresolved, further collection action will follow.
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀?
Depending on your circumstances and the status of the account, Town staff may be able to establish an acceptable written payment arrangement. Interest continues to apply to outstanding taxes while an arrangement is in place.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?
The Town will resume the applicable collection and enforcement process. Contact the Town immediately if your circumstances change.
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱?
Yes. Where applicable, the Town may disconnect water service as part of the collection process. Property owners will receive at least 30 days’ written notice before the Town begins the additional steps required to disconnect the service. If you receive a disconnection notice, contact the Town immediately to discuss payment arrangements.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲?
Depending on the type of account and the circumstances, the Town may use several collection measures. These can include disconnecting water service, collecting rent from rental properties, pursuing a claim through Small Claims Court or taking other legal action. Certain miscellaneous receivables may also be referred to a collection agency.
Properties with long-term tax arrears may be subject to the statutory arrears-sale process. Property and business tax accounts are collected directly by the Town.
𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀?
Yes. Under the Towns and Local Service Districts Act, when real property taxes, water and sewer fees, or local improvement fees have been in arrears for 18 months, the Town Clerk must issue a formal notice of arrears. The notice provides 90 days to pay the outstanding balance, including interest.
If the amount remains unpaid, Council must authorize the property to be sold through an arrears sale. A further notice is then issued, and anyone who receives it has 14 days to appeal. If no appeal is filed, or the appeal is unsuccessful, the property may be advertised and sold by public auction.
The sale will not proceed if the full amount owing, including applicable expenses, is paid before the auction.
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲?
No individual member of Council, including the Mayor or a Councillor, can direct staff to stop, delay or change the collection process. Any exception or decision requiring Council’s authority must be considered by Council through the formal decision-making process. Any appeal rights available under provincial legislation or the Town’s Arrears Sales By-law will continue to apply.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹?
Not receiving a tax notice does not remove the obligation to pay the taxes or applicable interest. Property owners are responsible for ensuring the Town has their current mailing and contact information.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴?
Property assessment is separate from the Town’s collection process. Assessment questions and appeals must follow the procedures and deadlines established by the Municipal Assessment Agency. Please contact the Municipal Assessment Agency for further information.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿?
Do not ignore a Town collection letter. Contacting the Town does not remove the amount owing or stop interest from accumulating; however, contacting us early allows staff to review your account and discuss any payment options or arrangements that may be available.
