City waives late fees on property tax payments, urges action on energy rates

The City of Windsor has announced it will not penalize Windsor residents unable to meet the property tax payment deadline this month because of the current public health crisis.

For the month of March only, the city will waive the penalty charge associated with late payments on property tax instalments. In a news release Wednesday, the city said this decision will be re-evaluated on a go-forward basis.

City council approved the measure via an electronic vote Wednesday, one day after it voted to suspend council and committee meetings until at least April 5.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens in the news release said he is calling on the Government of Ontario to adjust time-of-use electricity rates, since “many Ontarians” will not be able to shift their energy consumption to off-peak hours.

“As chair of the board of ENWIN, I know that municipal distribution companies have no say in how time-of-use is calculated,” Dilkens said. “The Ontario Minister of Energy

should issue a directive to the Ontario Energy Board adjusting or eliminating time-of-use rates at this extraordinary time.”

In the past 24 hours, Dilkens has spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, he said. The City of Windsor is reviewing means to provide relief to residents and businesses “in the days and weeks ahead.”

“All orders of government are going to have to dig deep to support our communities and provide relief for small businesses — especially the service sector,” Dilkens said.

While Windsor’s city hall remains open, enhanced screening for COVID-19 is in place at the building’s entrance for both visitors and staff.

Residents are strongly encouraged to access public services online through the e-services directory on the City of Windsor website instead of attending city hall in person.