PEOPLE in 55 B.C. communities, including Vernon and 18 other Interior municipalities, will benefit from approximately $17.3 million in grants in lieu of municipal property taxes this year.
“Through our annual grants-in-lieu program, we’re supporting the essential work local governments do to build stronger communities and provide the services people depend on,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services, on Wednesday. “This funding helps improve people’s lives by giving municipalities extra resources to plan, enhance and build vital local services and amenities.”
Grants in lieu of property taxes are distributed every November and reimburse local municipalities throughout the province for the services they provide to the public and their support of local infrastructure, such as parks, municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.
Grants cover land and property owned by the provincial government, such as office buildings, warehouses and courthouses.
Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Also excluded from compensation under the Municipal Aid Act are provincial assets such as highways, forests, and parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation.
“Our local government provides health, safety and recreational services that people count on,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “These grants will help municipalities continue to build healthy, vibrant communities that support people.”
The Ministry of Citizens’ Services distributes the funds on behalf of the provincial government.
Quick Facts:
- The Province is exempt from paying taxes to municipal governments under the federal Constitution Act and pays annual grants instead.
- In 1963, the Government of B.C. recognized its responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefit provincially owned properties.
- That is why, despite the exemption, the B.C. government pays municipalities and regional districts the same general municipal and regional district amount through grants in lieu which would otherwise be paid through property taxes.
- Each municipality distributes a portion of the funds to its regional district, where applicable, and those governments use the money to help pay for local services.
Provincial grants in lieu of municipal property tax amounts for 2022
Vancouver and Lower Mainland:
- City of Abbotsford – $106,161
- City of Burnaby – $618,632
- City of Chilliwack – $31,814
- City of Coquitlam – $392,439
- City of Delta – $37,621
- City of Maple Ridge – $861,366
- City of New Westminster – $220,222
- City of North Vancouver – $84,725
- City of Port Coquitlam – $783,395
- City of Powell River – $48,323
- City of Richmond – $4,637
- City of Surrey – $679,393
- City of Vancouver – $2,661,407
- District of Hope – $14,222
Vancouver Island:
- City of Campbell River – $115,337
- City of Courtenay – $42,409
- City of Nanaimo – $725,426
- City of Port Alberni – $57,498
- City of Victoria – $3,791,980
- District of North Saanich – $8,322
- District of Saanich – $420,294
- Village of Zeballos – $7,062
Interior:
- City of Castlegar – $30,871
- City of Cranbrook – $54,775
- City of Kamloops – $1,465,335
- City of Kelowna – $358,128
- City of Merritt – $32,904
- City of Nelson – $199,955
- City of Penticton – $119,855
- City of Revelstoke – $28,644
- City of Rossland – $22,399
- City of Salmon Arm – $17,589
- City of Vernon – $140,178
- City of Williams Lake – $117,060
- District of 100 Mile House – $20,861
- District of Invermere – $11,162
- District of Wells – $2,794
- City of Quesnel – $85,726
- Town of Oliver – $6,785
- Village of Lumby – $4,731
- Village of Nakusp – $7,754
North:
- City of Dawson Creek – $154,569
- City of Fort St. John – $157,538
- City of Prince George – $2,020,710
- City of Prince Rupert – $44,917
- City of Terrace – $179,469
- District of Fort St. James – $40,871
- District of Mackenzie – $1,348
- District of Stewart – $2,959
- Northern Rockies Regional Municipality – $23,701
- Town of Smithers – $159,364
- Village of Burns Lake – $7,971
- Village of Hazelton – $19,182
- Village of Masset – $12,713
- Village of Queen Charlotte – $8,282
