Council Rejects Proposal to Change How Tax Hikes Are Set, Citing Concerns Beyond Milton’s Views

A proposal to change how Milton determines property tax increases was narrowly defeated in a tied 3–3 council vote.

Brought forward by Ward 2 Councilor John Challinor, the motion sought to base future annual increases to the local portion of residential property taxes on the combined rate of national inflation and the annual growth in new homes across the town. Challinor argued this method would better reflect Milton’s unique growth trajectory.

“The methodology we use today is really not a Milton perspective — it’s an outside perspective,” he said. “Our services should follow our internal growth. That’s why I proposed this change.” According to Challinor, using his approach, the 2025 tax increase would have been around 6.4%, compared to the previous year’s 9.89% hike.

However, critics of the plan, including Ward 3 Councillor Adil Khalqi, said changing the method could threaten the town’s ability to adequately fund essential services.

“I’m not supportive of throwing out a system we just adopted less than a year ago,” said Khalqi. “If we want to aim for a lower number, we should do it within the framework we already have, not start from scratch.”

The vote at the April 28 council meeting saw Challinor, Rick Malboeuf, and Sameera Ali in favour, while Sammy Ijaz, Sarah Marshall, and Adil Khalqi voted against. Mayor Gord Krantz and councillors Kristina Tesser Derksen and Colin Best were absent.

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