Property taxes going up again in Vancouver after council approves higher-than-proposed hike
The City of Vancouver has approved a new budget for 2022, which includes a higher-than-proposed property tax increase of 6.35 per cent.
The bump is driven partly by a new climate levy, which Coun. Pete Fry said accounts for one per cent of the tax increase.
“That’s going to cover a lot of the climate resiliency that we need to address now more than ever, especially in light of what we saw over the summer with the heat dome, with the flooding in Abbotsford,” Fry said after the vote.
In a statement, Mayor Kennedy Stewart said, “Budget 2022 is a direct response to the challenges of COVID-19 and charts a bold path forward with long-term, dedicated funding to respond to the climate emergency that has ravaged our region.”
According to the City of Vancouver, the increase equates to $6 per month for the median condo, $14 per month for the median detached home, and $26 per month for the median business property.
The vote was not unanimous. Most elements of the budget were passed by a vote of 6-5. The six votes were made up by Stewart, OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle, the three Green Party councillors (Adriane Carr, Pete Fry and Michael Wiebe), and COPE Coun. Jean Swanson. The other five councillors were originally elected under the NPA banner - Colleen Hardwick, Rebecca Bligh, Melissa De Genova, Lisa Dominato and Sarah Kirby-Yung.
After the vote, Coun. Kirby-Yung wrote on Twitter, “Voting for this budget is a broken promise to Vancouver residents, renters, homeowners, families, young people & small businesses. Mayor & Council promised taxes would 5% max. Now majority have raised taxes whopping 25%+ in 4 years. Don’t know anyone whose income has gone up 25%.”
There is more funding for the city’s police and fire departments, and more money for park rangers.
The higher taxes will also pay for more street cleaning, public squares and small parks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.