The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will write to the province asking it to reconsider plans to eliminate the Northern and Rural Homeowner Benefit.
The province is planning to eliminate the additional $200 Northern and Rural Homeowner Benefit starting in 2027, which currently reduces eligible homeowners’ property-tax bills.
Board members discussed the change during last Thursday’s board meeting, ultimately agreeing to draft a letter supporting the City of Prince George’s call to keep the benefit.
In ITS letter to rural governments across B.C., Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said eliminating the benefit will disproportionately affect northern and rural communities, where residents face higher costs for things like transportation, heating and access to services.
The city is asking other rural and northern local governments to support its efforts to have the province reconsider the decision.
Area D Director and Board Chair Aimee Watson supported the push, saying the change could make it harder for some seniors to afford staying in their homes. She also noted the grant hasn’t kept pace with inflation.
“If everything else, CPI, inflation and that is not changing, and we have the affordable housing issue, this is one way that seniors are able to stay in their homes,” said Watson.
Directors also discussed the impact on younger people trying to enter the housing market.
Castlegar director Maria McFaddin said the benefit can make a difference for people already on a tight budget.
“One class we have to think about is it actually helps young people get into the market, too, who are on a very tight budget,” said McFaddin.
McFaddin also raised concerns about how the provincial government announced the change, saying local governments and residents should have been consulted.
“We need to push back when provincial government thinks they can just slide things in without conversation with us and conversation with residents,” she said.
McFadden said the change was posted online without drawing much attention.
“This was put on some website and someone had to find it, that they were gonna do it. No one would even notice until they got their tax bill,” she said.
“That fundamentally is not how government should work.”
Watson agreed, saying the issue ties into the RDCK’s broader concerns about provincial downloading.
“We are your partners on the ground. You need to talk to us before you make big changes, not after, and then say FYI for that,” she said.
The board voted in favour of drafting a letter supporting Prince George’s request. The letter will be held until after the provincial election before being sent to the province.
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