Questions · 6 so far
We read Bruce Mines' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 21 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$207Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $207K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 19% of everything billed. Only 3 of 21 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $127K.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$948,2582026 amount to be raised from taxation, a 1.5% increase, against the 3.5% a year the asset plan describes
On June 2, 2026 council approved a 2026 budget that raises $948,258 from taxation, "a 1.50% increase". The tax rates by-law shows a 1.5% rise in the municipal rate for almost every property class (worked out by us from the two by-laws). The Town's asset management plan, dated October 2, 2025, says that funding its capital program needs "an annual 3.5% tax levy increase" for the tax-supported side and a 3.0% increase in water and sewer rates, and that the Town "is highly dependent on recurring Provincial and Federal grants". The plan values the Town's infrastructure at about $50 million. Council also took up a new annual curbside garbage fee in January 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 6 sources
12.77%rise in the municipal rate for vacant industrial land, 2025 to 2026 (worked out by us), against 1.5% for the other classes
Comparing the 2025 and 2026 tax rate by-laws, the municipal rate went up by 1.5% for every property class except one. The "Industrial Vacant" rate went from 0.02810012 to 0.03168971, a rise of 12.77% (worked out by us). In 2025 the vacant rate was 65% of the occupied industrial rate, and in 2026 it is about 72% of it (worked out by us); the commercial vacant rate stayed at 70% of the occupied rate. The by-law that sets tax ratios for 2026 (by-law 2026-21) is not posted where we looked.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
June 2, 2026date council approved the 2026 budget, with the tax rates by-law passed before it that evening
Council approved the 2026 budget on June 2, 2026, more than five months into the year. The minutes show that on the same evening council passed the by-law setting tax rates (motion 2026-169) before it approved the budget (motion 2026-170). We did not find the budget, a budget summary or audited financial statements on the Town's site. The clerk's report at the August 10, 2026 meeting lists "2025 Financial Statements Update", with no figures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$142,200revised 2026 allocation for OCIF water projects 3 and 4, up from $120,000
The March 2, 2026 agenda shows the water operator's 2026 capital and maintenance request as OCIF projects 3 and 4 totalling $120,000, maintenance $10,500 and a reserve contingency of $24,100, for $154,600 in all. OCIF is a provincial infrastructure grant. On June 2, 2026 council revised the funding for projects 3 and 4 from $120,000 to $142,200, a rise of $22,200 (worked out by us), in connection with a new expansion tank for the booster pump station. On August 10, 2026 council also approved a lift station roof repair using Canada Community-Building Fund reserves, capped at $13,500 after a first motion at $11,800 plus HST was deferred.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$202,177Bruce Mines' 2026 levy from ADSAB, $11,185 more than 2025
The March 2, 2026 agenda says the Algoma District Services Administration Board (ADSAB) apportionment for 2026 is "an increase of $11,185 from 2025" and that the "Total town levy for 2026 is $202,177". That would be about 21% of the $948,258 the Town raises from taxation (worked out by us), and about a 5.9% rise on 2025's implied $190,992 (worked out by us). This is a charge set by the board, not by the Town, but it shapes how much room is left for the Town's own services.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$207Kowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2025
At the end of 2025, $207K of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 19% of everything billed. Only 3 of 21 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $127K.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $117K |
| 2020 | $75,951 |
| 2021 | $48,193 |
| 2022 | $51,923 |
| 2023 | $163K |
| 2024 | $127K |
| 2025 | $207K |
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $117K, 2020 $75,951, 2021 $48,193, 2022 $51,923, 2023 $163K, 2024 $127K, 2025 $207K. Of the 2025 total, $116K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 10.3% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 21 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
$948,2582026 amount to be raised from taxation, a 1.5% increase, against the 3.5% a year the asset plan describes
On June 2, 2026 council approved a 2026 budget that raises $948,258 from taxation, "a 1.50% increase". The tax rates by-law shows a 1.5% rise in the municipal rate for almost every property class (worked out by us from the two by-laws). The Town's asset management plan, dated October 2, 2025, says that funding its capital program needs "an annual 3.5% tax levy increase" for the tax-supported side and a 3.0% increase in water and sewer rates, and that the Town "is highly dependent on recurring Provincial and Federal grants". The plan values the Town's infrastructure at about $50 million. Council also took up a new annual curbside garbage fee in January 2026.
Keeping a tax rise low is popular, but infrastructure that is not paid for now gets more expensive later. Residents also pay the new garbage fee on top of the levy, so the 1.5% may not be the whole change in what a household pays.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Motion 2026-170, June 2, 2026, moved by Councillor Morin, seconded by Councillor Orto: "APPROVES THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET, WHICH REQUIRES RAISING $948,258 FROM TAXATION, REPRESENTING A 1.50% INCREASE." Carried. (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 13 New Business, PDF page 6 (scanned image)
Item 13 a): "The budget for 2026 has been presented raising $948,258 from taxation. This represents a 1.5% increase from 2025." (Scanned page, read twice, at 100 and 220 dpi.)
Agenda of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 13 New Business, PDF page 3 (scanned image)
2026 tax rates, municipal rate: Residential Farm 0.01853799 (education 0.00153000, total 0.02006799); Commercial Occupied 0.02479642 (education 0.00880000, total 0.03359642); Industrial Occupied 0.04387942. Read by eye on a rotated page; each row's municipal and education rates add up to its total rate.
By-law 2026-22, 2026 tax rates, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 1 table, PDF page 1 (scanned image, page printed sideways)
2025 tax rates, municipal rate: Residential Farm 0.01826403 (education 0.00153000, total 0.01979403); Commercial Occupied 0.02442997 (education 0.00880000, total 0.03322997); Industrial Occupied 0.04323096. Each row's municipal and education rates add up to its total rate. Worked out by us: the 2026 municipal rate is 1.50% higher than 2025 for Residential Farm, Commercial Occupied and Industrial Occupied, and for six of the seven other classes.
By-law 2025-23, 2025 tax rates, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 1 table, PDF page 1 (scanned image)
Section 5.1: "Funding all of the expenditures to achieve the desired asset performance expectations with an annual 3.5% tax levy increase over the long-term results in a relatively stable reserve balance over the next 10 years." and, with a 3.0% annual rate increase, the same for rate-supported assets. Section 5.2: "The Township is highly dependent on recurring Provincial and Federal grants to fund its infrastructure program." Section 2: replacement value of "approximately $50 million".
Town of Bruce Mines, Asset Management Plan, October 2, 2025 · Sections 5.1 and 5.2, PDF pages 21 and 22; section 2, PDF page 6
Agenda item 13 e): "Amendment to Fees and Charges By-law 2025-29 for the new Annual Curbside Garbage Collection Fee per residential property and new Annual Curbside Garbage and Recycling Fee per business/commercial non-exempt property." No amount is printed.
Agenda of January 12, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 13 New Business, PDF page 3 (scanned image)
12.77%rise in the municipal rate for vacant industrial land, 2025 to 2026 (worked out by us), against 1.5% for the other classes
Comparing the 2025 and 2026 tax rate by-laws, the municipal rate went up by 1.5% for every property class except one. The "Industrial Vacant" rate went from 0.02810012 to 0.03168971, a rise of 12.77% (worked out by us). In 2025 the vacant rate was 65% of the occupied industrial rate, and in 2026 it is about 72% of it (worked out by us); the commercial vacant rate stayed at 70% of the occupied rate. The by-law that sets tax ratios for 2026 (by-law 2026-21) is not posted where we looked.
A tax rate set for a class affects every owner in it, and the Town's own words on the budget only mention a 1.5% change. Anyone who owns vacant industrial land would see a bigger increase than the Town's summary suggests.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
2026, Industrial Vacant: municipal rate 0.03168971, education rate 0.00880000, total rate 0.04048971. Industrial Occupied: municipal rate 0.04387942. (Scanned page, read twice, at 150 and 220 dpi; the row's rates add up to its total.)
By-law 2026-22, 2026 tax rates, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 1 table, PDF page 1 (scanned image, page printed sideways)
2025, Industrial Vacant: municipal rate 0.02810012, education rate 0.00880000, total rate 0.03690012. Industrial Occupied: municipal rate 0.04323096. (Scanned page, read twice, at 150 and 220 dpi; the row's rates add up to its total.)
By-law 2025-23, 2025 tax rates, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 1 table, PDF page 1 (scanned image)
June 2, 2026date council approved the 2026 budget, with the tax rates by-law passed before it that evening
Council approved the 2026 budget on June 2, 2026, more than five months into the year. The minutes show that on the same evening council passed the by-law setting tax rates (motion 2026-169) before it approved the budget (motion 2026-170). We did not find the budget, a budget summary or audited financial statements on the Town's site. The clerk's report at the August 10, 2026 meeting lists "2025 Financial Statements Update", with no figures.
The budget is the plan taxpayers are asked to pay for. Without it, residents can see the one number in the minutes ($948,258 from taxation) but not what it pays for. Audited statements are the independent check that the money was spent as reported.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Motion 2026-169: council enacts "A BYLAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF TAX RATES AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR PENALTY AND INTEREST IN DEFAULT OF PAYMENT THEREOF FOR 2026", by-law 2026-22. Motion 2026-170 follows: "APPROVES THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET, WHICH REQUIRES RAISING $948,258 FROM TAXATION". (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Sections 12 c) and 13 a), PDF page 6 (scanned image)
Section 6 iii) Clerk, Report: "2025 Financial Statements Update", with "Vulnerable Persons Registry Update", "Tax Appeal Update" and other items. No figures. (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of August 10, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 6 Reports, PDF page 3 (scanned image)
Motion 2026-13, January 12, 2026: council enacts "A BYLAW TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM TAX LEVY AND THE PAYMENT OF INTERIM TAXES FOR THE YEAR 2026", by-law 2026-01. Carried. (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of January 12, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 12 a), PDF page 5 (scanned image)
$142,200revised 2026 allocation for OCIF water projects 3 and 4, up from $120,000
The March 2, 2026 agenda shows the water operator's 2026 capital and maintenance request as OCIF projects 3 and 4 totalling $120,000, maintenance $10,500 and a reserve contingency of $24,100, for $154,600 in all. OCIF is a provincial infrastructure grant. On June 2, 2026 council revised the funding for projects 3 and 4 from $120,000 to $142,200, a rise of $22,200 (worked out by us), in connection with a new expansion tank for the booster pump station. On August 10, 2026 council also approved a lift station roof repair using Canada Community-Building Fund reserves, capped at $13,500 after a first motion at $11,800 plus HST was deferred.
Water and sewer systems are paid for by user rates and grants, and small towns depend on both. Increases in project costs during the year are normal, but residents cannot see the full 2026 water budget.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Item 9 ix) c): "2026 OCWA Capital and Maintenance budget request. OCIF Projects 3 & 4 totaling $120,000, Maintenance totaling $10,500 and Reserve Contingency totaling $24,100. Total budget request is $154,600." (Scanned page, read twice, at 100 and 220 dpi; $120,000 + $10,500 + $24,100 = $154,600.)
Agenda of March 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 10 ix) c), PDF page 3 (scanned image)
Motion 2026-165, June 2, 2026: council "REVISES THE FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR OCIF PROJECTS 3 AND 4 FROM $120,000 TO $142,200, AS PART OF THE ONTARIO CLEAN WATER AGENCY CAPITAL AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET." Carried. (Scanned page, read twice, at 110 and 220 dpi; no total on the page to check against.)
Minutes of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 9 ix) c), PDF page 4 (scanned image)
Motion 2026-201: approves "THE QUOTE OF $11,800.00 + HST FROM DYNAMIC ROOFING" for the main lift station roof, using "AVAILABLE CANADA COMMUNITY BUILDING FUND (CCBF) RESERVES". Deferred. Motion 2026-202: approves the repair "UNDER THE CONDITION THAT THE COST DOES NOT EXCEED $13,500.00". Carried. (Scanned page, read twice, at 150 and 220 dpi.)
Minutes of August 10, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 6 i) PWO, PDF page 3 (scanned image)
$202,177Bruce Mines' 2026 levy from ADSAB, $11,185 more than 2025
The March 2, 2026 agenda says the Algoma District Services Administration Board (ADSAB) apportionment for 2026 is "an increase of $11,185 from 2025" and that the "Total town levy for 2026 is $202,177". That would be about 21% of the $948,258 the Town raises from taxation (worked out by us), and about a 5.9% rise on 2025's implied $190,992 (worked out by us). This is a charge set by the board, not by the Town, but it shapes how much room is left for the Town's own services.
A fifth of the levy goes out the door to a board residents do not vote for directly. Knowing the share helps residents see which part of a tax bill council controls.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Bruce Mines? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Item 10 i) c): "ADSAB 2026 Apportionment - an increase of $11,185 from 2025. Total town levy for 2026 is $202,177." (Scanned page, read twice, at 100 and 220 dpi; no total on the page to check against.)
Agenda of March 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 10 i) c), PDF page 2 (scanned image)
Motion 2026-170: "APPROVES THE 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET, WHICH REQUIRES RAISING $948,258 FROM TAXATION, REPRESENTING A 1.50% INCREASE." (Scanned page, read twice, at 110 and 220 dpi.)
Minutes of June 2, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 13 New Business, PDF page 6 (scanned image)
Council comments: "Mayor Patteri would like to revisit the ADSAB administration expense." (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of January 12, 2026 Council Meeting, Town of Bruce Mines · Section 10 Council Comments, PDF page 5 (scanned image)