FCM to comment on Supreme Court decision regarding federal properties paying
for municipal services

OTTAWA, April 14 /CNW Telbec/ - On Thursday, April 15, 2010, the Supreme Court will release a decision on payments owed by two Crown corporations, Radio Canada and the Port of Montreal, to the City of Montreal.

The decision is expected to be released at 9:45 a.m. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities CEO Brock Carlton will be available to comment, along with FCM's legal advisor, University of Ottawa law professor Stéphane Émard-Chabot.

The issue at the centre of the case is whether Crown Corporations should pay the same tax rate - or "payments-in-lieu-of-taxes" (PILT) - as other comparable property owners. The decision has national implications as it will affect the ability of municipalities across the country to collect funds from federal property owners. Every year 1300 Canadian municipalities collect over $700 million in PILT payments to help pay the costs of providing local services.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With more than 1,775 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

For further information: Eric Collard, [phone] or e-mail [email protected]