The following is being distributed at the request of the Municipal Assessment Agency:

Assessment fair and equitable: Atlantic Canadians
Newfoundland and Labrador leads way

In a poll conducted by Corporate Research Associates, 82 per cent of Atlantic Canadians indicated their satisfaction with the fairness and equity of their assessed values. Respondents from this province led the way with 84 per cent indicating their satisfaction. "This is a strong vote of confidence in the service provided by the agency to the people of the province" said Walwin Blackmore, chairperson of the agency�s Board of Directors. The board reviewed the results of the survey during its recent meetings in L�Anse au Clair.

The poll was conducted by Corporate Research Associates during the last two weeks of February 2002, and is significantly accurate at plus or minus five per cent, which means 19 times out of 20. Specifically, 1,500 Atlantic Canadians (400 from this province), were asked "how satisfied or dissatisfied are you in regards to the fairness and equity of the assessed value of your property in comparison to similar properties in your neighbourhood or community."

The Municipal Assessment Agency provides real property assessment services to 231 municipalities across the province. Property assessments are prepared annually and are the basis for the property and business taxes levied by municipalities. An assessment notice is delivered to each property owner and business operator subject to a municipal property based levy. For the 2003 tax year, assessment notices will be mailed on October 11, 2002.

Media contact: Sean Martin, Executive Director, Municipal Assessment Agency, (709) 724-1532 or (709) 685-3981.

2002 06 25                            3:25 p.m.