The B.C. government has distributed $1,186,008 in compensation for municipal property taxes to the City of Maple Ridge.

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 are paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.

Quotes:

Doug Bing, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“The City of Maple Ridge benefits from this annual grant because it is a predictable and stable source of funding. The grant is also unconditional and this means the city has complete flexibility and the option to use it to support public services or capital expenditures.”

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“Local ratepayers will appreciate the fact that this annual contribution from the Province helps take pressure off of property taxes. The city also has the option to apply the money according to its own spending priorities.”