In this edition of Industry Insights | |
International collaboration
- The United Kingdom Valuation Office Agency’s externship experience at MPAC
Assessment Information Requests
- Property Income and Expense Return & Aggregate Campaign
PROfessional highlight
- Debbie Mackintosh, Appraiser, Valuation & Assessment Standards
In the news
- MPAC’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
- AI Roundtable
MPAC in motion
- International Property Tax Institute - Property Tax Conference 2025: Policy and Practice
- Meeting with Industry at the CPTA Annual National Workshop
On Social
| | Impact of Canada Post service disruption | | Due to disruptions in Canada Post services, the delivery of some MPAC notices may be delayed. If you think you should be receiving a notice, we encourage you to log in to MPAC AboutMyPropertyTM to view your notice. Learn more. | | International collaboration | | The United Kingdom Valuation Office Agency’s externship experience at MPAC | | Sharing knowledge and best practices in property assessment is something we’re very passionate about at MPAC. This September, MPAC welcomed Adam Hall MRICS – SEO (V) Lead Valuer, National Valuation Unit (NVU), Southampton and Keira Gaunt – HEO Valuer, District Valuer Services, Leeds from the Valuation Office Agency, the agency responsible for property valuations across the United Kingdom (UK), for a two-week immersive experience. Their goal? To learn what they can about how MPAC operates and bring those lessons back to the UK. | | |
During their visit, they connected with teams from several MPAC departments, soaking in insights and observing our processes in action. Back in the UK, the VOA team will share a report based on what they learned about efficiently delivering trusted valuations, providing great client experience, and fostering a great workplace.
At MPAC, our vision is to be a global leader in transforming property assessment, data, and services. This kind of international collaboration helps us move toward achieving that goal.
“Our experience at MPAC was truly rewarding. Global externships like this are invaluable in the valuation profession. These immersive exchanges foster transparency and trust across borders, paving the way for consistent valuation practices and helping to build equity in property assessment worldwide. Witnessing a fresh perspective on property valuation in a different jurisdiction was not only enlightening but also energizing, reaffirming how hands-on collaboration can inspire innovation and shared growth. Opportunities like this are essential for advancing both our organizations and the profession as a whole, and we strongly encourage more externships to strengthen the global network of valuation experts.”
- Adam and Keira
| | Pictured from left to right: Megan Ramsay, Lead, Industry & Valuation Programs, Greg Martino, Vice-President and Chief Valuation and Standards Officer, Keira Gaunt, HEO Valuer, District Valuer Services, Leeds, Cathy Ranieri-Sweenie, Director of Strategic Business Support, and Adam Hall MRICS – SEO (V) Lead Valuer, National Valuation Unit, Southampton | | Assessment Information Requests | | Property Income and Expense Return & Aggregate Campaign | | Debbie Mackintosh, Appraiser | | |
Meet Debbie Mackintosh, an Appraiser on MPAC’s Valuation & Assessment Standards team.
Our assessment professionals regularly share knowledge and best practices through educational webinars, and recently, Debbie presented at an Institute of Municipal Assessors (IMA) and International Property Tax Institute (IPTI) webinar on the “Challenges with Application of the Income Approach.”
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Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have been an Appraiser with MPAC for the past seven years, working in Valuation and Assessment Standards, with a focus on income-producing properties such as office, retail, industrial, and hospitality assets (including casinos, arenas, and hotels).
My career began in the UK, where I completed a postgraduate diploma in Urban Property Appraisal at Paisley University. I went on to become a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), specializing in valuation. I currently hold the Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute (AACI) designation from the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC).
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Based on your recent presentation, what areas of focus did you highlight when valuing income properties?
Valuing income properties requires an understanding of the income approach and how it is applied in real-world assessment contexts. This includes the determination of fair market rent, methodologies for capitalization rate development, and the treatment of non-recoverable expenses.
What is the benefit of participating in one of these industry webinars?
It's an honour to speak with other industry professionals on a topic I'm so passionate about. These webinars provide the opportunity to share best practices and learn from others to enhance our own business operations.
| | MPAC’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan | | |
MPAC has unveiled its new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at transforming service for Ontario property owners through innovation, transparency, and inclusive engagement.
This plan is crafted to enhance the experience of Ontario’s property owners— including business property owners. Our focus is on providing smarter data tools, clearer communication, and more responsive services. We are improving assessment systems, leveraging advanced technologies, and offering accessible, tailored data insights to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Our Strategic Plan defines our priorities to deliver accurate property assessments through transparent processes, build stronger communities, and create a more connected Ontario. In line with this vision, we've refreshed our brand to better represent our commitment to delivering exceptional services to Ontarians with clarity, purpose, and impact.
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As part of our new Strategic Plan, MPAC has initiated the AI Roundtable, a collaborative forum designed to advance the responsible and ethical integration of AI within the public sector.
Recognizing the transformative potential of AI, we are bringing together professionals from academia, government, and the private sector to exchange ideas and share best practices. This initiative allows us to collectively address challenges while exploring innovative solutions that enhance service delivery for Ontarians.
The AI Roundtable promotes open dialogue and equal participation, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to our discussions around AI's role in streamlining processes and improving decision-making.
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By fostering this collaborative environment, we aim to harness AI's capabilities in a way that aligns with public values, ultimately driving positive change and better outcomes for communities across Ontario.
To learn more, visit mpac.ca.
| | MPAC representatives continue to attend a variety of events and conferences, and connect with industry partners and representatives. | | International Property Tax Institute - Property Tax Conference 2025: Policy and Practice | | |
The International Property Tax Institute (IPTI) Property Tax Conference recently took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With a focus on legislation, valuation, administration, and client services, this year’s event focused on sharing international experiences and practical strategies for improving property tax systems.
MPAC was grateful for the opportunity to participate in key panel discussions at this year’s conference, including Greg Martino, Vice-President and Chief Valuation and Standards Officer, and Matt Kanter, Vice-President and General Counsel.
This annual conference brings together global experts to explore practical and policy-based solutions providing a forum to share best practices, learn from international peers, and stay ahead of emerging trends in property taxation and assessment.
| | Meeting with Industry at the CPTA Annual National Workshop | | On October 8, MPAC also presented at the Canadian Property Tax Association (CPTA) Annual National Workshop in Montreal. Greg Martino took part in a panel discussion with assessment authorities from coast-to-coast to discuss legislative, operational and other updates from their respective assessment jurisdictions. We thank CPTA for the opportunity to participate in this engaging event. | | |
"On October 8, I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Property Tax Association National Workshop. Bringing together assessment, valuation, and taxation professionals from across the country, the National Workshop provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of perspectives on emerging challenges and issues faced by our industry."
Read the full post on LinkedIn.
| | Pictured from left to right: Giselle Kakamousias, Turner Drake & Partners Ltd., Matthew Whittleton, B.Comm, BBRE, AACI, P.APP, Property Valuation Services Corporation, Don Hearn, M.I.M.A, ICD.D, Municipal Assessment Agency, Cate Watt, City of Edmonton, and Greg Martino, VP & Chief Valuation & Standards Officer | | Working with industry partners | | MPAC is committed to working with industry partners across the province. If you want more information about MPAC and how we work with you, please contact us at industry@mpac.ca. We look forward to learning more about opportunities to connect in the future. | | | | |
