Helped City develop equitable approach to tax arrears payment plans

What happened

We can examine issues even without receiving a formal complaint. In this case, we identified shortcomings in the Revenue Services division’s process for collecting tax arrears.

What we did

We encouraged Revenue Services to adopt a human rights-based approach in their collections process. This included considering each person’s unique needs when offering repayment plans.

The result

Revenue Services agreed to address this issue in their new collections policy.

Why this matters

Incorporating a human rights and equity-based lens into program design is essential to ensuring that all individuals receive fair, supportive service, particularly those facing financial barriers that can impact their ability to stay housed.