Business Tax Burdens in Canada’s Major Cities: The 2019 Report Card

Found, Adam

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3583882

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Business Tax Burdens in Canada’s Major Cities: The 2019 Report Card

C.D. Howe Institute e-brief 303, 2020

13 Pages Posted: 20 May 2020

See all articles by Adam Found

Adam Found

University of Toronto

Date Written: April 23, 2020

Abstract

The best and worst major Canadian cities for business investment as measured by overall tax burden are identified in a new report by authors Adam Found and Peter Tomlinson.

Before a business decides to locate or expand in a given jurisdiction, it must consider the tax implications of such an investment. Heavy tax burdens reduce potential returns, driving investment away to other jurisdictions and, with it, the associated economic benefits.

Municipal business tax burdens are highest in Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s, while near the group average in Calgary, Charlottetown and Moncton. Vancouver showcases the most competitive municipal business tax environment, followed by Saskatoon, Toronto and Winnipeg.

Keywords: Fiscal and Tax Policy; Business and Capital Taxation;Business Investment; Property Taxes; Transparency of Public Finances; Urban Issues

JEL Classification: H25; H71

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Found, Adam, Business Tax Burdens in Canada’s Major Cities: The 2019 Report Card (April 23, 2020). C.D. Howe Institute e-brief 303, 2020, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3583882 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3583882