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Did you know that ensuring you are accurately recorded as an English Separate (Catholic) School Board supporter helps demonstrate strong public backing for Catholic education in Ontario?
Why is it important?
- If your taxes are not directed to the Catholic school system, you cannot vote for a Catholic School Board trustee in the next election. School Board trustees play a vital role in guiding Catholic education, advocating for students and families, and strengthening connections with our school communities.
Who is eligible?
- Any household where one of more of the homeowners is Catholic can direct their support to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board. Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board. Please check your property tax bill to ensure your support is directed to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board.
- Even if you don’t have children, you can still declare yourself as Catholic school supporter.
Is this information automatically updated?
- Every time you move, your tax support automatically defaults to public school support. Catholics need to re-declare themselves as Catholic school supporters.
Ready to take the next step?
Steps to update your direction of school support through the MPAC portal can be found in this guide: MPAC’s Online Portal to Direct School Support
Visit https://www.mpac.ca/en/MakingChangesUpdates/SchoolSupportDesignation to make changes to your designation on the MPAC Online Portal under Direction of School Support.
If you are a tenant, you can verify your support by contacting your local municipal office.
Learn more about the importance of being a Catholic Rate Payer in this resource provided by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA): https://www.ocsta.on.ca/ocsta/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/website-Ratepayers-brochure.pdf
Still have questions? We have answers! Scroll down to read our full list of FAQ’s.
Catholic Rate Payer FAQ
How Do I Redirect My Tax Support?
To confirm if you are currently an English Separate (Catholic) School supporter, check the assessment section of your tax bill or confirm through the MPAC Portal.
Can property taxes be directed to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board if one homeowner/tenant is Catholic and the other is not?
Yes. If at least one owner is Roman Catholic, the property support can be directed to the English-Separate (Catholic) board. You can easily update this through an attestation using the MPAC Online Portal under Direction of School Support.
https://www.mpac.ca/en/MakingChangesUpdates/SchoolSupportDesignation
If both parents are non-Catholic but their children attend a Catholic school, can taxes be directed to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board?
No. Under Ontario law, at least one parent or guardian must be Roman Catholic to direct taxes to the Catholic board, even if the children have been baptized in the Catholic faith.
If a family moves, do they need to file a new Direction of School Support?
Yes. Property taxes automatically default to English-Public whenever a property is sold or a new tenant moves in. A new direction must be filed for your primary residence, as well as for any additional properties you own.
If a family rents their home, can they direct their taxes to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board?
Yes. Tenants have the legal right to direct the school support for the property where they reside, provided at least one tenant is Roman Catholic.
Can a business or corporation direct property taxes to the English Separate (Catholic) School Board, or is it only for individuals?
Yes. A corporation can direct their taxes; however, it is not automatic. The corporation must designate its support based on the proportion of shares held by Roman Catholics. If the shares are not held by individuals (or if the proportion is unknown), the taxes default to the public board.
Why do my taxes still show as ‘Public’ even though I completed a ‘Direction of School Support’ form?
Updates to school support are not instantaneous. Once a form is processed by MPAC, the change typically takes effect in the following taxation year.