- What happens in the event that a municipal sewer line causes a back-up of sewage in my home?
- What is a poll tax?
- Am I required to pay poll taxes?
- Who is exempt from poll tax?
- Where can I obtain a list of all municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador with their respective addresses and telephone numbers?
- Where can I find statistical information about municipalities?
- Where can I find information on emergency preparedness?
- Where can I find information on flooding?
- How can I obtain a copy of the Towns and Local Service Districts Act?
- When sending a letter to the Minister or the Department of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement how long should I expect to wait before receiving a response?
1. What happens in the event that a municipal sewer line causes a back-up of sewage in my home?
Most municipal councils will have regulations governing this situation such as by-laws that require property owners to have a back-water check valve on their sewer lines to prevent sewage from backing up into their homes.
If you are not fortunate enough to have a back-water check valve on your line and you have sewage backing up into your home, you should immediately take whatever action is necessary to deal with the situation. (Clean-up, repairs, etc.) You should also contact your council to inform them of your problem. Council can have the matter checked out to determine possible causes and inform you of the city/town’s obligation, if any. You should immediately contact your insurance company as there may be an option for claims on damages.
2. What is a poll tax?
A Poll tax is an individual tax based principally on income. Many municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador charge poll taxes. We recommend you check with your local council or representative for confirmation or further information.
3. Am I required to pay poll taxes?
Please refer to the following excerpt of the Municipalities Act, 1999 to verify whether or not you are liable for paying poll taxes: SECTION 126
- A council may impose an annual tax, to be known as “the poll tax” on
- A person who is 18 years of age or older and who is ordinarily resident in the municipality during the financial year;
- A person who is 18 years of age or older and who is employed in the municipality for not fewer than 90 days in total during the financial year of the council;
- An individual, partnership, association or corporation who is not ordinarily resident in the municipality but owns real property in the municipality.
- A person to whom paragraph (1)(a) refers who does not ordinarily reside in a municipality for the full current financial year is entitled to a rebate of the poll tax that the person has paid for the full year, the rebate to be in proportion to the duration of time that person is not resident.
- For the purpose of this section and section 127, the rules for determining the residency of a person under section 24 of the Municipal Elections Act shall apply to the determination of whether or not a person is ordinarily resident or non- resident in a municipality.
- Notwithstanding section 127, a poll tax is payable by a person when he or she becomes liable under subsection (1).
4. Who is exempt from poll tax?
If you fall into any of the categories listed in the following excerpt of the Municipalities Act, 1999, you are not liable for poll taxes. Please refer to the following excerpt: SECTION 127
- The following persons or class of persons are not liable for a poll tax imposed under Section 126:
- A person who is liable to pay the real property tax in the municipality;
- A non-resident of the municipality who is employed in the municipality for a period of not fewer than a total of 90 days during the financial year of the council which would impose that tax where that non-resident pays a
- Real property tax,
- Poll tax, or
- Fee for service to the municipality or local service district in which he or she resides; and
- Upon application to a council, a person whose income from all sources for the taxation year under the Income Tax Act (Canada) immediately before the date on which a poll tax is due is less than the basic personal exemption provided for under that Act, or a greater amount which the council may determine.
- An application for an exemption under paragraph (1) (c) shall be made before July 1 in a financial year in order for that exemption to be applicable to that financial year.
- For the purpose of paragraph (1) (c), pension income received under the Old Age Security Act (Canada) and pensions and allowances that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may prescribe by regulation shall not be considered to be income.
5. Where can I obtain a list of all municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador with their respective addresses and telephone numbers?
6. Where can I find statistical information about municipalities?
7. Where can I find information on emergency preparedness?
The Division of Fire and Emergency Services is responsible for emergency preparedness. Their website is available from the link below:
8. Where can I find information on flooding?
Please visit the Flood Risk Policy section for information on the follow:
- Flood Risk Policy
- Areas Subject to Federal-Provincial Flood Risk Mapping
- News Release – Government to seek input on flood risk policy
9. How can I obtain a copy of the Towns and Local Service Districts Act?
There are 3 ways to obtain a copy of this act:
- The House of Assembly Website
- Department of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement Website under the Legislation
- The Office of the Queen’s Printer (some printing fees may apply)
10. When sending a letter to the Minister or the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, how long should I expect to wait before receiving a response?
Normally, a response to a written letter will take approximately 3 weeks after being received. Depending on the subject, some letters may require extensive research; therefore a response may take longer. Please contact the Department of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement by telephone if your concern is of great importance or urgency.
TO FIND OUT MORE
For information and assistance, contact the Municipal and Community Affairs office nearest you.