28 October 2019
Hon. Ernie Steeves, Minister of Finance
Chancery Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Via email: ernie.steeves@gnb.ca
Re: Motion 31 and Comprehensive Tax Review
Dear Minister Steeves:
I am writing today in advance of the fall sitting of the legislature to thank you for your steadfast opposition to Bil 9, Motion 31 and any future attempts to include machinery and equipment in property tax calculations. As you have expressed, this would be a major blow against competitiveness in New Brunswick and act as a major disincentive to private capital investments.
At the Motion 31 hearings before the Standing Committee on Law Amendments earlier this fall, we learned about the multi-year, multi-departmental review of the province’s tax system lead by the Department of Environment and Local Government.
First, congratulations to your government for taking on this important and overdue file – we are particularly pleased to know that economic development is a key consideration in the planned review. Second, we would be keen to participate in any and all consultative processes regarding this year – our members are very interested in seeing the province develop a tax regime that is modern, fair and in line with current best practices.
Sincerely,
Krista Ross, CEO
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
