Nova ScotiaThe 6-4 vote in favour of implementing the 1.5 per cent tax came after a contentious round of debate around the council table. ‘I admit I was wrong,’ said Mayor Dave Corkum, who voted in favour of the tax he initially opposedPreston Mulligan · CBC News · Posted: Nov 04, 2025 3:31 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesKings County is the last county in Nova Scotia to implement a deed transfer tax. (CBC)The Municipality of the County of Kings voted Monday night to implement at 1.5 per cent deed transfer tax. The 6-4 vote came after a contentious round of debate around the council table.Mayor Dave Corkum, who voted in favour the tax, decried what he said were threats of violence against some councillors if they also voted in favour.”These councillors’ families have been threatened with violence. Yes, violence,” he said.”I believe this is the right thing to do and I commend the councillors that are going to support this in spite of the threats.”Kings County is the last county in the province to implement such a tax. The mayor and other supporters say the revenue will go toward construction of a new recreation facility that will include a pool. It will also help cover infrastructure projects including sewer upgrades in various districts within the county. ‘The lesser of all the evils’The tax would add $4,500 to the cost of a $300,000 home. But some councillors who voted in favour called it the better option. A one-time deed transfer tax would only apply to those purchasing a home — as opposed to a rate increase hike which all homeowners would have been forced to pay.”The cost of everything is more expensive for the municipality,” said Coun. Emily Lutz. “Similarly to everyone’s personal household, mine is going up. Expenses are high. And so the lesser of all the evils in my opinion is to add a deed transfer tax. “And that’s why I’m supporting this bylaw and the policy.”Coun. Bob Best, whose district covers Waterville, Cambridge and Coldbrook, said when he was knocking on doors during the most recent campaign, the deed transfer tax was the dominant issue. He said he assured residents he’d vote against it.”If you’re going to go door to door and tell the public that you don’t favour the deed transfer tax, you should stick by what you’re saying, in my opinion,” Best said. ‘I was wrong,’ says mayorCorkum said he opposed the tax, too, and campaigned against it. That was until he got a look at the county’s finances.”I apologize, I was wrong. I admit I was wrong,” he said. “But I’m going to tell you, I’ve seen the light and I believe this is the right thing to do.”Staff with the county advised councillors in September that adopting the deed transfer tax would be a better option than introducing a two per cent general tax rate increase. On top of that, they said sewer rates would go up by $51. Coun. Everett MacPherson, who chairs the audit and finance committee, said councillors who may have opposed the tax on the campaign trail — and then changed their minds — should be commended, not condemned.”So I keep hearing as a criticism the fact that maybe a few people have changed their mind about this deed transfer tax,” he said during Monday night’s debate.”For me, it’s a sign of intelligence. What it shows me is that you’re able to collect information, process information, and then make a decision.”MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORPreston Mulligan has been a reporter in the Maritimes for more than 20 years. Along with his reporting gig, he also hosts CBC Radio’s Sunday phone-in show, Maritime Connection.
Kings County votes in favour of controversial deed transfer tax
