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For The Record

THE FACTS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERMISSIVE TAX EXEMPTIONS

Nov. 2, 2009
Ministry of Community and Rural Development
 

Recently a number of media reported that the District of Sechelt will be removing part of the permissive tax exemption it has previously provided to Camp Olave, a camp owned by the Girl Guides of Canada and located on the Sunshine Coast. The following are the facts on permissive tax exemptions.

  • The Community Charter provides local governments with clear authority to provide or not provide property owned by charitable, philanthropic or non profit organizations with permissive tax exemptions.
  • Permissive tax exemptions flow through to include school and other taxes. The effect of this is when a local government makes this exemption property owners pay no property taxes to any level of government - municipal, regional district or school.
  • The decision to exempt or not exempt Camp Olave is entirely in the hands of the District of Sechelt.
  • There is no cost to the District of Sechelt to provide the exemption beyond the foregone taxes.
  • The Province does not have the authority to overrule the District's decision.
  • BC Assessment will be reviewing the now taxable portion of the property to determine its assessed valued. Until that valuation is complete, it is not possible to estimate the potential 2010 property taxes on that portion of the property.