Government is distributing $16.9 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to 64 communities throughout British Columbia, Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart announced today.

Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November as a way to reimburse communities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally-run sewers, roads and fire protection.

According to the Municipal Aid Act, a grant-in-lieu is payable on land owned by the provincial government - for example, courthouses, provincial government office buildings, ambulance stations and warehouses. Since schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes, a grant-in-lieu is not payable on these properties. In addition, highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are excluded from compensation under the act.

The funds are distributed electronically on behalf of government by the Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government. The amounts paid are based on the municipality's tax rate and the assessed value of the properties.

Quotes:

Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart -

"Grants-in-lieu provide much-needed funding for local governments, allowing them to invest extra money into meaningful projects. These funds can have a huge impact on communities throughout British Columbia because they help municipalities to continue providing services residents and businesses rely on."

Quick Facts:

• In 1963, the government of B.C. recognized its responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefitted provincially owned properties.

• Each municipality distributes a portion of the funds to its regional district, and those governments use the money to help pay for local services.

• Since 2002, the government of British Columbia has distributed more than $190 million as grants-in-lieu to B.C. communities.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

BACKGROUNDER

Municipalities receiving grants-in-lieu in 2012

Municipality and 2012 GIL Payment ($)

100 Mile House
21, 396.73

Abbotsford
191,017.82

Burnaby
871,763.40

Burns Lake
8,785.44

Campbell River
72,988.29

Castlegar
21,965.02

Chilliwack
54,857.93

Coquitlam
670,711.66

Courtenay
35,178.54

Cranbrook
28,704.26

Creston
14,179.02

Dawson Creek
113,893.95

Delta
27,810.34

Fernie
2,823.00

Fort St. James
38,134.92

Fort St. John
107,052.74

Golden
4,577.33

Hazelton
21,755.87

Hope
16,176.13

Houston
882.44

Kamloops
1,152,764.01

Kelowna
338,037.04

Kent
2,558.69

Kitimat
2,713.15

Lumby
3,636.40

Maple Ridge
1,179,875.09

Masset
24,351.53

McBride
2,068.65

Merritt
28,230.92

Nakusp
6,483.25

Nanaimo
385,081.68

Nelson
183,964.41

New Westminster
248,550.56

North Vancouver
95,820.69

Northern Rockies (RD)
41,931.81

Oliver
3,744.18

Parksville
27,303.60

Penticton
85,887.52

Port Alberni
48,270.79

Port Coquitlam
818,730.13

Powell River
41,056.63

Prince George
2,159,987.50

Prince Rupert
59,692.24

Princeton
1,131.60

Queen Charlotte
3,317.27

Quesnel
55,018.97

Revelstoke
41,825.15

Richmond
12,736.06

Rossland
19,353.98

Saanich
433,236.96

Salmon Arm
14,311.37

Sicamous
5,200.03

Smithers
132,973.82

Squamish
2,533.72

Stewart
1,898.34

Surrey
473,575.51

Terrace
147,607.82

Vancouver
2,891,182.46

Vernon
91,841.40

Victoria
3,139,232.75

View Royal
141,970.35

Wells
1,817.70

Williams Lake
61,764.33

Zeballos
3,920.93

Total $16,941,845.82

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Communications Manager
Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172