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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.