Provincial Property Tax Deferral Program
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association request that the Government of Alberta provide a property tax deferment program to eligible Albertan homeowners experiencing financial hardship, administered on a province-wide basis, similar to the program offered by the Province of British Columbia.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association request that the Government of Alberta ensure that municipalities are compensated for the amount of lost property tax revenue due to property tax deferral arrangements in their jurisdiction, either through an amendment to the Alberta Municipal Government Act or through direct compensation to municipalities.
WHEREAS many Alberta homeowners may struggle with the financial burden associated with home ownership;
WHEREAS provincial and municipal property taxes can contribute to a household’s financial burden;
WHEREAS it is both beneficial and cost effective for citizens to remain in their own homes rather than entering subsidized housing projects;
WHEREAS deferral of property taxes can assist certain homeowners in managing the costs of home ownership and in remaining in their own homes
WHEREAS section 347(1)(c) of the Alberta Municipal Government Act prescribes that a municipal council may defer the collection of a tax on a taxable property;
WHEREAS neither the Alberta Municipal Government Act nor the Land Titles Act provides municipalities with the ability to recuperate lost revenue from property taxes related to approved property tax deferrals;
WHEREAS municipalities would struggle to maintain programs and services if lost property tax revenues were not recuperated or otherwise reimbursed; and
WHEREAS the Government of British Columbia provides a property tax deferment program to certain BC homeowners and provides municipal governments with the corresponding amount of lost property tax revenues.