A new 185-page report by KPMG released this week assessed a myriad of taxes and fees that the city of Toronto could potentially put into effect to help pay for several of its costly development plans.

The report, which was commissioned by the city, states that a growing need for “housing, transportation infrastructure, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure assets, and ongoing municipal development” requires new outlets for revenue.

In total, the report suggests nearly $3.9 billion in new taxes and levies for Toronto to consider.

“It can be expected that as Toronto’s population continues to grow and age, so too will the cost to provide public services,” the report reads.

It goes on identify taxes permitted under the City of Toronto Act and options that the city currently does not have the power to implement.

The city’s executive committee is expected to debate the report sometime in the fall and will later influence the Long-Term Financial Direction report.

Discussing the report with CTV News on Wednesday, Coun. Shelley Carrol said that the city must “look seriously” at any revenue tool that could potentially generate “a lot of money.”

But other politicians did not want to talk about taxes despite the fact that the city manager is asking council to approve a new revenue tool to balance the books. The budget chief insisted the city has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

“At this point, revenue tools are not on my radar,” Coun. Gary Crawford said.

Crawford vowed to keep property tax at the rate of inflation, which is in line with Tory’s pledge.

Tory said he would eventually recommend to his colleagues which new taxes he supports.

Here is what KPMG recommends:

Alcohol tax

In Canada, alcohol taxes are long time sources of revenue for federal and provincial governments. The report states that the additional tax would pertain to product sales for personal consumption but would consider including store and/or licensee sales. Though, since the tax targets average local consumers, it is more likely to disadvantage Toronto residents than out-of-town visitors.

Parking tax

A parking tax or parking levy would operate “like any other sales tax” and is a fixed percentage that is applied to paid parking spots, whether off-street or non-residential. The report states this tax has the potential of increasing the number of Toronto residents using alternate forms of transportation such as the TTC.

Entertainment and amusement tax

An entertainment tax affects optional purchases of admission to recreational events or “place of amusement,” including concerts, exhibitions, circuses and athletic competitions.

Vehicle ownership registration tax

If approved, the report suggests a tax cost between $20 and $100 per car. Back in 2007, former mayor David Miller introduced a $60 vehicle registration tax to the dismay of many Toronto residents. Later, in 2010, former mayor Rob Ford eliminated the tax.

Tobacco tax

Currently, there are no taxes on tobacco at the local level, according to the report. If approved, the report suggests a sales tax that would include e-cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco. The city’s ability to levy a tax on tobacco is limited under the City of Toronto Act, as it could only be approved on “the purchase of tobacco” for personal “use or consumption.’”

The report also recommended taxation in areas that are not currently permitted under the City of Toronto Act without provincial involvement.

Here are some of the taxes the report has suggested as options, but would require provincial approval:

  • Hotel tax
  • Parking sales tax
  • Municipal income tax
  • Municipal sales tax
  • Development levy