The B.C. government has distributed over $2.3 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to the City of Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver has received $2,271,218 and the City of North Vancouver has received $84,310. Altogether, the Province has distributed nearly $16 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to 56 communities around B.C.

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

Grants are issued in accordance with the Municipal Aid Act and are payable on land owned by the provincial government such as courthouses, provincial government office buildings and warehouses.

Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Other provincial assets such as highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are also excluded from compensation under the act.

Since 2002, the Government of British Columbia has distributed more than $254 million in grants-in-lieu to B.C. communities. A portion of the funds is paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.

Quotes:

Suzanne Anton, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview –

“This program is an essential revenue stream for local government priorities, offering predictable and substantial cash flow directly from the Province.”

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek –

“Local ratepayers will appreciate the value of this provincial grant to the City of Vancouver because it provides additional income to alleviate budget pressures.”

Andrew Wilkinson, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena –

“This particular grant is unconditional and, therefore, gives the City of Vancouver the flexibility to choose its own spending priorities and directly benefit the residents of Vancouver.”

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –

“The city will appreciate this annual injection of revenue because it provides funding for local services and capital expenditures. It also benefits local ratepayers because it helps keep property taxes down.”