Council approves Municipal Accommodation Tax  

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout Municipal Council has approved the implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for the community.
Council made the decision at their Sept. 18 regular council meeting, which was held in Hudson.
The MAT will take effect on January 1, 2020 at a rate of four per cent.
Christy McIntomney, Municipal Treasurer, informed, “The rate approved by Council is consistent with other municipalities across Ontario implementing the tax.
“The MAT will apply to the purchase price of accommodations provided for a continuous period of 30 days or less which are provided in a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, Airbnb and hostel.”
McIntomney highlighted in her report to council, “Most adopters of a MAT in Ontario have implemented a 4% tax. Kenora, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay and Dryden all have a 4% MAT Tax.”
Council decided, at their July 17 regular meeting, to exclude tourist camps, tourist outfitters and campgrounds from a Municipal Accommodation Tax.
McIntomney also shared in her report to council, “The Municipality's portion of the revenue is unrestricted. It could be used to fund capital improvements, repairs and new construction of tourism-related facilities, programs and services including Recreation, Culture, Parks & Gardens and initiatives in Economic Development.”
She further informed in her report to council, “Municipalities that adopt the Municipal Accommodation Tax shall share at least 50 percent of the Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue to an appropriate eligible Tourism entity.”
She clarified, “The group or organization who will receive the other half of the tax money for tourism promotion has not been officially decided.”