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tax bill errors affect 2,400 homeowners

The New Brunswick government has miscalculated the property assessments of 2,400 homes. In these cases, the ensuing increase in homeowner taxes has exceeded the legal limit of 10 per cent. Donald Arseneault, minister of post-secondary education, suggested that New Brunswickers become more informed about what constitutes a property value assessments. Human error was to blame for these miscalculations, according to Service New Brunswick. Some homeowners received tax bills that had increased by 20 to 40 per cent. Arseneault said the mistakes this year were not as bad as in previous years. Andrew MacLean, the provincial NDP’s Director of Organization, called for a review of the property tax system saying that it is “broken, incomprehensible and unfair.” David Coon, leader of the Green Party, sees the whole situation as an attempt to distract New Brunswickers from the shifting of the property tax burden from big industry to the majority of New Brunswickers. Arseneault said Service New Brunswick has flagged the issues and is sending proper corrections to affected homeowners.

big tax hikes hit landlords

Landlords all over New Brunswick have been trying to cope with increases in property assessment costs. Some increases, reaching more than 50 per cent, could mean higher rent rates for thousands of apartment tenants. In New Brunswick, apartment buildings, unlike owner-occupied homes, are not protected by a 10-per-cent cap on property tax increases. This means there is no limit on how much a bill can increase in one year. According to Katie Beers, a student union vice-president at the University of New Brunswick, property tax increases will make education less accessible, as students will have to pay more in the way of rent, and some may not have enough for tuition.

reward for information on jami springer increases

The major crimes unit of the RCMP is investigating the disappearance of Jami Springer, who  was last seen walking on McLaughlin Drive in Moncton on Aug. 31, 2016. Previously, a $10,000 reward, raised by family and friends, was offered to anyone who had information on Springer’s whereabouts. Now, an added $2,000 reward has been offered by Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information about Springer’s whereabouts is asked to contact Codiac RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

arrest made in multi-province cargo ring

Ralph Leblanc of Memramcook, N.B., turned himself in to the RCMP in Shediac in connection with a multi-million-dollar cargo theft ring. Leblanc, a 53-year-old man, is allegedly part of a criminal organization that stole over five million dollars’ worth of goods. This includes tractors, luxury cars and food products. In total, Leblanc was allegedly involved in 80 thefts in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. Last week, a nationwide warrant was issued for Leblanc and two Quebec men in connection with the thefts. Leblanc turned himself in to the RCMP on March 16. Three million dollars’ worth of stolen goods have been recovered.

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