IMFG

Duties and division of powers: Which governments do what as Edmonton votes for new city council | CBC News CBC Edmonton hit the streets to see how informed people are when it comes to understanding the different levels of government and their responsibilities.

IMFG Director Enid Slack was interviewed by CBC Edmonton about the mismatch between growing municipal responsibilities and stagnant revenue sources.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities Eco-Fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: Current Practices and Opportunities Jean-Philippe Meloche and Fanny Tremblay-Racicot IMFG Papers on Municipal Finance and Governance No. 71 2025

Latest IMFG report examines how municipalities can use innovative eco-fiscal tools, such as taxes, fees, and charges, to influence behaviour to help fight climate change.

bit.ly/4mHizah

@fannyrose.bsky.social

@enap-qc.bsky.social

Large logo of IMFG (Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance) Join our mailing list to receive the latest news of IMFG's events, papers, and updates. Logos: IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

Don't want to miss our upcoming City Manager's Address or our latest paper?

Keep up with the latest in IMFG's papers, events, and updates by subscribing to our mailing list here.

imfg.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Canada’s largest private landlord often dramatically increases eviction applications after acquiring buildings, study finds Starlight Investments filed 15 eviction applications per 100 units each year, while chain owned and managed properties filed seven applications per 100 units, a recent study found.

Former IMFG Post-Doctoral Fellow Julie Mah’s study on Toronto landlords’ behaviour around evictions was profiled in the Toronto Star.
She examined about 230,000 eviction applications in Toronto from 2010 to 2019 across purpose-built rental apartments with 20+ units.

www.thestar.com/real-estate/...

Eco-Fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: Current Practices and Opportunities By: Jean-Philippe Meloche and Fanny Tremblay-Racicot Municipalities are playing an increasingly important role in addressing climate change through the use of eco-fiscal tools. These tools, which include taxes, fees, and charges, influence behaviour in ways that impact the environment. This paper explains the advantages of eco-fiscal tools and explores the range of such mechanisms implemented by various Canadian municipalities. The authors argue that eco-fiscal tools, such as water charges, waste collection fees, and congestion pricing, are not only a source of revenue for municipalities, but also a means to incentivize climate-efficient behaviour. Read the full report: bit.ly/4mHizah Key findings Eco-fiscal tools should be seen not just as a way to diversify sources of revenue, but as a way to achieve certain environmental objectives. Although their potential is great, information on eco-fiscal measures remains anecdotal, apart from the use of pricing for water and waste. Québec municipalities are currently the only ones in Canada to be able to impose regulatory charges aimed at changing behaviour; the use of general taxation powers for environmental purposes remains relatively uncommon outside Québec. Measures currently being studied in Québec or operating as pilot projects need to be tested before they can be scaled up, which requires innovation and major administrative and political efforts. Logos for IMFG, U of T, School of Cities

Jean-Philippe Meloche and Fanny Tremblay-Racicot conclude the latest IMFG paper with observations of the state of eco-fiscal tools in Canada.

bit.ly/4mHizah

@fannyrose.bsky.social @enap-qc.bsky.social

Actors for whom the costs of adapting to environmental standards are too high will pay the environmental tax, while those facing lower adaptation costs will modify their behaviour to avoid the tax. This is voluntary adaptation under constraint. - Jean-Philippe Meloche, Fanny Tremblay-Racicot Eco-Fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: Current Practices and Opportunities Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

The report argues that fiscal tools, such as water charges, waste collection fees, and congestion pricing, are not only a source of revenue for municipalities, but also a means to incentivize climate-efficient behaviour. 3/4

bit.ly/4mHizah

@fannyrose.bsky.social @enap-qc.bsky.social

These taxes, fees, or charges correct market price signals to help internalize the social and environmental costs of individual choices, while providing financial resources to supply public goods and services. - Jean-Philippe Meloche, Fanny Tremblay-Racicot Eco-Fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: Current Practices and Opportunities Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

Jean-Philippe Meloche and Fanny Tremblay-Racicot explain the advantages of eco-fiscal tools and explore the range of such mechanisms implemented by various Canadian municipalities. 2/4

bit.ly/4mHizah

@fannyrose.bsky.social @enap-qc.bsky.social

Eco-fiscal tools, which are based on the “polluter pays” principle, are distinguished by the nature of their tax base, which consists of pollutants or polluting activities. - Jean-Philippe Meloche, Fanny Tremblay-Racicot Eco-Fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: Current Practices and Opportunities Logos for IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities

New IMFG report examines how municipalities can use innovative eco-fiscal tools, such as taxes, fees, and charges, to influence behaviour to help fight climate change. 1/4

bit.ly/4mHizah

@fannyrose.bsky.social @enap-qc.bsky.social

Zohran Mamdani is promising lots of things he can’t actually do A few reasons to be relaxed about the plans of the Democratic front-runner to be New York’s mayor

IMFG Director Enid Slack was interviewed by The Economist to discuss what local autonomy New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has in terms of the city budget.

www.economist.com/united-state...

I keep coming back to this amazing piece, 'A New Agenda for Local Democracy: Building Just, Inclusive, and Participatory Cities' via @imfgtoronto.bsky.social @uoftcities.bsky.social
It's still an amazing blueprint by Andrew-Amofah, Flynn
and Wood #TOpoli
utoronto.scholaris.ca/items/a944de...

Why Ontario taxpayers should want a property value reassessment GUEST SUBMISSION: If you pay property tax in Ontario, you have likely heard about the ongoing delay of the province-wide general reassessment. You may think that you are benefiting from this delay, bu...

"As economist Harry Kitchen and IMFG colleagues have explained: when one property pays too little tax, others must overpay to make up the difference. A general reassessment helps ensure everyone pays their fair share."

renxhomes.ca/why-ontario-...?

Alt text: Aerial view of homes and buildings

Ontario councillor’s advice to Halifax: In the wrong hands, strong mayor powers ‘can be extremely detrimental’ Ontario experts weigh in on experiences with strong mayor power and give advice to Nova Scotians

Strong mayor powers coming to Nova Scotia? IMFG Fellow Zack Taylor spoke to Halifax’s The Chronicle Herald on the use of strong mayor powers in Ontario.

www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...

After 18 years of work, Toronto’s Port Lands opens to the public Now known as Biidaasige Park, the project is part of $1.5-billion effort to renew the area’s ecological and Indigenous past

"It’s the beginning of the end of the industrial waterfront in Toronto," Dr. Eidelman said. "It’s the beginning of a completely new idea of what the Port Lands can be." - @alexbozikovic.bsky.social

h/t
@imfgtoronto.bsky.social‬ @uoftcities.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Red-haired woman in white shirt standing in front of black backdrop.

IMFG Fellow Alexandra Flynn argues that municipalities aren’t just service providers: they have the tools and authority to realize housing rights.

Human Rights Cities: Realizing the Right to Housing at the Municipal Scale - bit.ly/44hOYO5

Graham Avenue transit shift leaves businesses wary of seasonal foot traffic Downtown businesses reliant on bus-takers have watched sales plummet immediately following a Graham Avenue transitway overhaul

IMFG Fellow Aaron Moore comments in the Winnipeg Free Press about changes to the city’s transit system.

www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/202...

During a week when climate change felt closer than ever, Peel councillors learned they’re getting further away from stopping it During a week when climate change felt closer than ever, Peel councillors learned they’re getting further away from stopping it

The Pointer refers to IMFG's 2022 report The Municipal Role in Climate Policy as Peel Region releases its progress report on its Climate Change Master Plan.

thepointer.com/article/2025...

Woman in blue in front of blurred background with grass.

IMFG Director Enid Slack was on the podcast Century of Cities. Listen as she talks about the fiscal future of Canadian cities.

www.thecenturyofcities.com/podcast-epis...

Four people seated on stage with table with water jug in front and a large screen with text behind.

Watch as the CAOs of York, Peel, and Durham regions discuss how they are navigating the impact of tariffs, the influx of refugees and asylum seekers, and the nexus between development charges and housing affordability.

imfg.org/research/doc...

Text from introduction slide. Logos of IMFG, University of Toronto, School of Cities Effect of Land Transfer Taxes on Real Estate Markets: Evidence from Toronto Speaker: Peter Wu, 2024-25 Graduate Fellow in Municipal Finance and Governance Moderator: Enid Slack, Director, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance June 10, 2025 @imfgtorotno #IMFGtalks

Does the advent of a land transfer tax reduce property sales volumes and prices? View 2024-25 Graduate Fellow in Municipal Finance and Governance Peter Wu's presentation of the effects of Toronto's 2008 land transfer tax on the local real estate market.

imfg.org/uploads/659/...

Zachary Spicer has covered smart cities and smart city competitions for us.

imfg.org/research/doc...

Three people sitting at a table with a screen behind them.

Missed the IMFG panel on eco-fiscal tools? Watch the video on how eco-fiscal tools, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, are being used across Canada, featuring IMFG Visiting Scholar Jean-Philippe Meloche, Fanny Tremblay-Racicot, and Ben Dachis.

imfg.org/research/doc...

a hand is pointing at the subscribe button on a pink background . ALT: a hand is pointing at the subscribe button on a pink background .

Interested in keeping up with all the IMFG news, papers, and events? We cover municipal finance and governance in Canada and around the world.

Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and email list!

imfg.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

The two essays in this paper are great resources for anyone looking to understand the municipal role in harm reduction and mental well-being.

Four seated people in front of a screen with a description of the event.

Interested in what the CAOs of Peel, Durham, and York said at our Friday event?

See their slides as they covered the impact of tariffs, the influx of refugees and asylum seekers, and the nexus between development charges and housing affordability.

imfg.org/wp-content/u...

Can't make the in-person 3rd Annual CAOs' Address? Join the live stream: www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-strea...

@wellesleyinstitute.bsky.social

Who Does What Series Image of a crouched young man with arms crossed The Municipal Role in Mental Health Contributors: R. Marcus Hammond, Barb Fornssler, Elaine Hyshka, Kwame McKenzie, Rishika Wadehra, Sophie Baker, Jesse Rosenberg Editors: Gabriel Eidelman, Sonali Chakraborti, Dina Graser, Enid Slack Logos: IMFG, Urban Policy Lab, U of T, School of Cities

The Municipal Role in Mental Health: New paper examines how municipalities can better position themselves to effectively respond to mental health and addiction challenges and the need for further cooperation from other orders of government and local agencies.

imfg.org/report/the-m...

Marathon Winnipeg council hearing on zoning changes could last days, councillor says | CBC News A hearing at Winnipeg city council next week could be the last chance for Winnipeggers who want input on new rules that are intended to speed up housing construction and would allow buildings with up ...

IMFG Fellow Aaron Moore comments on marathon City of Winnipeg hearings regarding zoning changes that would speed up housing construction.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

View of semi-detached houses on Toronto street on a sunny day.

Join us on June 10 as IMFG Graduate Fellow Peter Wu discusses the impact of the introduction of the land transfer tax in Toronto in 2008.

Register for the in-person seminar:

www.eventbrite.ca/e/effect-of-...

Opening slide for Eco-fiscal Tools and Municipal Finance: New Practices and Opportunities Picture of farmland with hills in the background on left side of image Prof. Jean-Philippe Meloche, Visiting Scholar (winter 2025) School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture Universite de Montreal Prof. Fanny Tremblay-Racicot Graduate school of public administration Ecole nationale d'administration publique IMFG Toronto May 22nd 2025 Logos for Univeristy of Toronto and IMFG

Did you miss the presentation on eco-fiscal tools with Jean-Philippe Meloche and Fanny Tremblay-Racicot?

View the slides. imfg.org/research/doc...

The video will be coming out too.