Grants-in-lieu of property taxes for 2007

The Province, through the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services, is providing $15.9 million to 63 B.C. municipalities as grants-in-lieu of property taxes for 2007, announced Minister Olga Ilich.Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed as a way to compensate municipalities for services that benefited government properties. In the past, it was the practice that one level of government did not tax the property of another level of government. However, beginning in the 1960s the Province began to recognize its responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefited these properties, such as roads, sewers, and fire protection. The grants are based on the assessed value of provincially owned office buildings and other properties in each municipality. They are paid through Accommodation and Real Estate Services, a division of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services. For the first time, funds will be distributed electronically, saving time, money and paper.

Grants of interest in this area:

Kamloops 1,265,608

Kelowna 341,391

Lumby 3,642

Penticton 90,078

Vernon 68,529