SASKATOON TAX RATE AMONG MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY IN CANADA

The City of Saskatoon is one of the best places in the country for a business to start-up or expand operations, says a respected Toronto-based economic and social policy think-tank.

In a brief released this morning, the C.D. Howe Institute ranks Saskatoon and Calgary as cities with the lowest or most competitive business tax burdens in the country.

“This result just reinforces that we are on the right track,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer.

“City Council has stressed a competitive tax policy and a business-friendly climate as success drivers in its Strategic Plan,” Tarasoff says.  “With the C.D. Howe Institute’s recognition, it appears we are well on the way to maintaining a diverse local economy.”

The tax burden is explained as how local and provincial taxes will affect a business’ bottom line or what the potential return on their investment will be.

The study also takes into account the often overlooked impact that business property and land transfer tax rates have on investment.  When these elements are factored in, Saskatoon is on the leading edge of cities with a low business tax burden.

“Again, this ensures everyone that Saskatoon is a bustling, business-friendly city,” Tarasoff says.

The study is available on the C.D. Howe Institute’s website at http://www.cdhowe.org/pdf/e-brief_187.pdf

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