Municipal Property Tax Fairness in Manitoba

Small businesses in Manitoba are the backbone of their communities. A recent study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that 66 cents of every dollar spent at a small Canadian business stays in the local economy.

Despite their vital role, small businesses face significant challenges that hinder their ability to do business. One of the most pressing issues is the increasing burden of property taxes, which stifles business investment, limits job creation, and reduces the ability to serve their communities. CFIB has long monitored municipal property tax fairness across Western Canada, and this report marks our first in-depth exploration in Manitoba.

In this report, we examine the disparity between commercial and residential property taxes among Manitoba’s 10 largest municipalities, highlighting its adverse impact on the province’s small businesses. Additionally, we provide scenarios that simulate potential tax shifts currently under consideration by some municipalities, illustrating their potentially detrimental effects on small businesses.