Education Property Tax Rate Unchanged

For the fourth consecutive year, the province is holding its education property tax rate at 35.1 cents per $100 of assessment.

Nova Scotia levies the tax, known as the mandatory education tax (MET), to property owners on behalf of school boards. Municipalities collect it along with their own taxes and pass it on to the boards.

Even though the rate is unchanged, revenues from the MET will be $159.3 million in 2005-06 -- an increase of $9.2 million. The increase is because of a rise in property values.

The MET is not a tax on municipal revenues or assets, but rather the assessed value of property in Nova Scotia. Using municipal systems to collect it avoids duplication of effort, but it is not a tax on municipalities.

"This year will see more money go to public schools to benefit student learning," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "As has been the practice, some of that new money will come from the province's general revenues and some will come from the MET. I expect the proportions to be about the same.

"Most provinces support their schools in part with a property tax, although Nova Scotia is at the low end of the scale in that regard."