By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl council this week approved its annual list of organizations eligible for a break on business taxes.
Councillor Bill Antle brought the motion before council, which passed it unanimously.
Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador will receive a full exemption, totaling $797.
The Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce will also receive a full exemption worth $731.
Employment agency Visions Employment Inc., which helps find jobs and provides coaching for people with disabilities, will receive a full exemption to the tune of $5,987.
Co-Operator Housing will receive a full $1,406 tax exemption.
Co-Operative Housing Association, will also receive a full exemption at $4,739.
The Canadian Diabetes Association is set to receive a $1,880 exemption.
The Masonic Park and Mason Lodge on Mount Carson Avenue will both receive 60 percent exemptions at $10,152 and $24,699 respectively, while the Freemason Hall arm of the organization will receive a full tax break of $5,309.
The SPCA is getting a full exemption of $5,309, while Metro Business Opportunities rounds out the list with a $3,483 tax break.
The total cost of the exemptions in this week's motion amount to 135,345.
Mayor Dave Aker said tax exemptions are one way the City offers help to volunteer groups.
“These organizations, they operate fundamentally using volunteers,” he said. “Our role as a city sometimes is to provide facilities and tax considerations. I think this is really good, this is a real contribution back from the City to our community.”
