By Leslie Cholowsky, Editor
Alberta Municipalities, an association representing most of the province’s urban centres, from the smallest to the largest, is presently running an information campaign designed to address the pressure on local municipal councils to reduce property taxes.
AM says, “There are many things affecting municipal budgets and your council’s ability to pay for the services, equipment, and infrastructure to have a thriving community.
“Inflation, cutbacks in provincial funding, and downloaded costs from higher levels of government are all combining to create a snowballing burden on your local government.”
The campaign, called “Property Taxes Reimagined,” is presented through video and written sources, and can be found at abmunis.ca/advocacy-priorities/spotlight/property-taxes-reimagined.
As part of the campaign, AM asks, “As you think about your money and the future of your community, Albertans may want to ask:
“Should the Alberta government keep shifting more taxes onto property owners and renters?
“Should councils still be the ones collecting the province’s property tax?
“If things stay the same, what will your community look like in 10 to 20 years? Will your life be better or worse?
“If you have ideas, contact your local MLA or your local council and share your thoughts on how we can reimagine property taxes to strengthen the future of Alberta’s communities.”
There’s some excellent information on the AM website for anyone looking for a greater understanding of municipal finances and responsibilities.
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