After a week of commentary and criticism over the City of Ottawa's plan to offer a $2.9 million tax break to a future Porsche dealership, council approved the community improvement grant Wednesday in a 15 to 9 vote.
A controversial decision by the city’s finance committee to grant a luxury car dealership a community development grant sparked a protest in Vanier Tuesday evening.
Posted: May 26, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: May 26
Dozens of Vanier residents gathered outside an Audi car dealership on Montreal Road Tuesday to protest a proposed $2.9 million dollar tax break that would help a company build a Porsche dealership on the site.(Nicole Williams/CBC)
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Political manoeuvring was in overdrive on Wednesday, when Mayor Jim Watson won support to tie a controversial $3-million tax break for a Porsche dealership to a multimillion-dollar long-term investment in affordable housing.
With a vote of 15-9, Ottawa city council approved an application from Mark Motors to receive property tax relief for a new Porsche dealership planned for 458-470 Montreal Rd.
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The tax break is under a Montreal Road “community improvement plan” (CIP). The city uses CIPs to generate economic activity in targeted areas, giving property owners relief from the expected increases in property taxes that will come from new development.
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The sole argument in favour of the city of Ottawa forgoing $2.9 million in property taxes so that a Porsche dealership can move from one location in Vanier to another location in Vanier is that the company’s request fits within existing city policy.
To the average city councillor, that means there is nothing more to discuss. That’s why the finance and economic development committee voted 12-0 in favour of the request, which goes to full city council Wednesday.
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