Industry and Property Taxes

Today, the WL Tribune has a story about heavy industry not paying their property taxes and its' effect on local governments in BC. As an aside, this subject is being discussed at this year's UBCM (Union of BC Muncipalities) Annual Convention. You can find the story here

However, I must say that I can't empathize with these industrial companies who complain about high property tax bills but yet did not take the opportunity to express their concerns about their City Council budget and high industrial property tax bills, when all of them (City Council or Regional District) must host a public consultation meeting on their annual budget & 5-Year Financial Plan, or even request a meeting with their local Mayor or Councillor who holds the Finance Portfolio to discuss their concerns with the local industrial tax rate.

It is kinda of like calling the kettle black. I could empathize with them, if they took the time to express their concerns at a public consultation meeting on the local government's 5-Year Financial Plan and Annual Budget and their local elected representatives told them to "Go shove it".

This need not be dealt with, initially anyways, at the provincial level, but have their discussion around industrial tax rates at the local level, then if industry feels they aren't getting anywhere, then by all means, go to Victoria and have the discussion around inequity of industry vs residential property tax rates. Although, most local governments have already stated a collective opinion that the setting of local tax rates is the responsibility of local elected officials and that would, by the way, fly in the face of the Community Charter which states in Section 2a:

"the Provincial government respects municipal authority and municipalities respect Provincial authority"