March 27, 2025
The Municipality of Cumberland urges the premier to reconsider increases to the non-resident deed transfer tax.
Cumberland Municipal Council is urging Premier Tim Houston to reconsider increasing the non-resident deed transfer tax, if not for the whole province, then at least in Cumberland County.
“The recent announcement by your government to increase the non-resident deed transfer tax from five percent to 10 percent increases, rather than reduces, barriers to inter-provincial and intra-regional relationships,” Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy said. “If it is implemented as scheduled, it will depress real estate values and assessment, but more importantly, and of more concern, it will send a message to our neighbours that perhaps we’re not all in this together.”
Mayor Gilroy said the council is supportive of efforts to facilitate inter-provincial trade and commerce and is delighted to see the premier take a lead role in the national conversation amongst his colleagues to do this.
“In this environment of isolationist policymaking by the U.S. government and the resulting global trade war, it’s critical that our province does what it can to develop new markets and reduce trade restrictions on existing domestic markets for our goods and services,” the mayor said.
The mayor noted that Cumberland County’s geographic location is adjacent to New Brunswick and P.E.I. It also supports an unencumbered flow of goods, services, and people between Nova Scotia and its closest neighbours.
“Everyday life in Cumberland County involves the integration of procurement of goods and services with our maritime neighbors, with many people crossing provincial boundaries daily to work, shop, play, and attend appointments,” the mayor said. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this integration extends to families with many members living in one province but owning, or seeking to acquire, seasonal residences in another, allowing them to vacation or spend time closer to their families.
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