Edmontonians lukewarm about tax increase, survey shows one-third OK with 1.8 per cent hike
A survey shows more than half of Edmontonians do not want to see a tax increase or would prefer a decrease.
A City of Edmonton online survey indicates 42 per cent of those surveyed want the city to continue a tax freeze next year, and 18 per cent say they would want a tax levy decrease. A third of respondents were in favour of a tax levy increase.
Conducted from Nov. 17 to 24, the city says 8,644 respondents took part in the survey to help guide councillors' budget deliberations.
City administration is proposing a 1.8 per cent increase on residential property taxes next year after a zero per cent increase in 2021.
If approved, the average household would pay around $714 more in property taxes in 2022 for each $100,000 of the assessed value of their home — roughly $14 more on every $100,000 of assessed value compared to 2021.
Nearly half of the people who participated in the online survey said their financial situation had worsened due to the pandemic, with only nine per cent believing it would improve in the near future.
According to the city, tolerance for a tax increase was lowest among commercial property owners and business owners or managers.
Of those who said they were in favour of a property tax increase, 22 per cent said a one to two per cent hike is acceptable. Three-quarters would like that increase to fund existing city-run programming and services.
Almost half of survey participants said they would reduce the amount of funding recreation centres, parks, and transit to offset the need for an increase or maintain a tax freeze.
Among respondents wanting a tax increase, three-quarters said they wanted the funds to be used for maintaining existing services and maintaining infrastructure.
Sixty-three per cent of respondents said they are employed, while 22 per cent are retired.
City council will continue budget deliberations throughout the month, with a final decision expected before Christmas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.