Property taxes have been increasing at an alarming rate over the past few years. More importantly, the property taxes are outpacing economic growth of the region and is at a point where it is counterproductive for growth of the community. It is critical to ensure that the property tax rates are on par with the western end colleagues that have witnessed sustainable growth of communities over time, to the point that they have become the most sought after locations for home ownership. If population density is still an issue even with the explosion in new construction activity over the recent years, the town should be take steps to ensure that construction permits are provided to solve for the property density issue rather than getting larger homes into once unused large scale lands - thus requiring more resources to keep up with this growth. 

Whitby as a town does not have any of the large corporation HQs, offices or warehouses like the other counterparts in GTA (outside Durham) and if anything affordability of home ownership should play an important role in getting people to live in Whitby and hopefully spur economic activity in the regions in the time to come. Property taxes should be an advocate for community development. Unfortunately, it is at a point where community is being financially penalized for choosing Whitby as their home.