Calgary homeowners face 8.9% property tax increase

Calgary homeowners will face an 8.9% increase in property taxes this year. This rise comes as the province of Alberta demands a larger share of property tax revenue from the city. The Calgary city council finalized the increase on Tuesday. For a typical single-family home with a median value of $697,000, this means an extra $29.25 each month, or nearly $350 annually. Condo owners will see a 15.96% increase, which translates to an additional $25.50 monthly or $306 per year for a condo assessed at $359,000. Originally, city officials estimated just an $11 monthly increase for homeowners during budget discussions in November. However, the province increased its property tax requisition by 15%. This totals over $1 billion for Calgary, the highest per capita amount for any Alberta city. Some city councillors expressed frustration during the council meeting. They argued that the province's demands make it hard to justify the increased tax burden to their constituents. Ward 14 Coun. Peter Demong called the situation the most outrageous he has seen in his 14 years in office. In response to the tax hike, the city council decided to invoice the Government of Alberta for the costs of collecting its share of property taxes. Mayor Jyoti Gondek emphasized the need for compensation when the city provides services to the province. Costs are estimated at around $10 million, though some councillors doubt the province will pay. A provincial finance spokesperson accused the council of trying to deflect blame for fiscal mismanagement onto the province. He noted that the additional property tax revenue would not come close to covering the costs of new schools planned for the area. Despite these tensions, some councillors worry that most Calgarians do not understand where the extra tax money is going. The council approved the tax increase with a few members voting against it. Property tax bills will be mailed out the week of May 12.