cp24.com

The province has nixed a suggestion from Toronto’s budget chief to introduce a new municipal sales tax.

Councillor Shelley Carroll – also the city’s budget chief – says Toronto will soon be the only city of its size in North American without a sales tax, the National Post reports.

But Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson says he will NOT give the city the power to introduce such a sales tax.

New York City has a 4.5 per cent sales tax on many goods and services. Chicago has a 1.25 per cent sales tax and also placed a tax on soft drink syrup, hotels and restaurants.

The Post reports that the budget chief says a sales tax is a prerequisite for Toronto’s success.