Property taxes in Calgary are soaring: A big blow to homeowners

 

 

 

Calgary has seen a huge increase in property taxes this year. The city council gave final approval to a total tax increase of 8.1 per cent. The decision was made at a crucial meeting in the last week of March. The new rates will come into effect in May.

Officials say most of the tax increases are due to the demands of the provincial government. Although the municipality's own tax share was limited to just 1.2 per cent, the setback was the provincial government's huge increase in education taxes. The provincial tax share for homes alone increased by 19.8 per cent. Meanwhile, non-commercial buildings increased by 8.8 per cent and total taxes by 2.5 per cent.

Mayor Jeremy Farkas said that this tax increase will be a huge burden on the people in the current situation. The decision will put ordinary families who are already facing high costs for food and shelter in crisis. City officials explained that the education tax is set by the provincial government and the city is only responsible for collecting it.

The dispute between the Calgary government and the provincial government over the issue has intensified. Officials have advised city residents to prepare for the big tax bills ahead.