My family and I built a home in the City of Kawartha Lakes in 2021, as we have family stretching back to settler times and wanted to stay in the place we love so much, aiming to create our dream home amidst one of the most challenging times globally—the pandemic. Like many millennial couples, we invested everything into this house, fully aware we’d be living 'house poor' temporarily. Yet, no one anticipated the enduring inflation and ongoing rising costs of living. Despite navigating these turbulent financial waters, the proposed tax increase of 7% per year over the next decade threatens to drown us and many others in our community, culminating in a staggering 93% total tax increment.

In the face of an already critical housing crisis and rampant inflation, this rapid and excessive tax hike is not just financially burdensome; it’s unconscionable. Increasing taxes at such an aggressive pace will undoubtedly force countless residents out of their homes, compounding the housing crisis that we’re already witnessing across the country and causing massive property tax arrears which is already hurting the GTA.

We call upon the City of Kawartha Lakes’ authorities to immediately impose a moratorium on these tax hikes. This pause should remain in effect until a time when the housing crisis is alleviated and the financial stability of families like mine is no longer in jeopardy.

The housing crisis is an issue intricately linked to the well-being of every resident and cannot be ignored or exacerbated by policy decisions that fail to consider their devastating impacts. Families are already fighting to keep a roof over their heads and to provide a stable environment for their children.

Join us in urging the City Council to reconsider these drastic measures and to engage in a transparent, community-focused discourse to find solutions that do not come at the expense of our homes and futures.

Sign this petition to stand with us against the proposed tax hikes and demand that our voices not only be heard but obeyed. Together, we can push for a sustainable approach to taxation in the City of Kawartha Lakes, safeguarding our homes and securing a stable future for all residents.