Edmonton seniors respond to potential property tax hike

With the City of Edmonton mulling an 8.7 per cent property tax increase — those representing Edmonton seniors say they want to see the money used for accessibility.

“If you feel you’re getting good value for the taxes, then it makes it easier as well,” said Sheila Hallett, the executive director of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council.

Hallet says the Edmonton seniors she represents say with inflation hitting everyone and the City striking a new labour deal with civic union employees, they understand why the city now has to debate a potential 8.7 per cent property tax increase, adding part of the tax increase would go directly to funding Edmonton seniors and those with mobility issues.

“They are considering adding a seniors-assisted snow removal program and it would help low-income seniors and those with disabilities to remove snow.”

With the average home price in Edmonton sitting at around $400,000 — current property tax rates would put a yearly tax at over $3,700 per year according to the City of Edmonton property tax calculator. The proposed increase would have homeowners paying $65 more for every $100,000 of assessed home value.

To the east in Sherwood Park a home costing the same amount would cost almost $1,000 dollars a year less in property tax than a home in Edmonton at just over $2,800 per year according to the county tax calculator.

Property taxes in Leduc $200 a year more than in Edmonton.

CityNews reached out to Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s office for comment on the tax increase, however, he has not responded at this time.

Speaking with CityNews Thursday, Southwest Edmonton Councillor Tim Cartmell says while he doesn’t want to see a property tax increase of this size, the other alternative is deciding which city services to scale back on.

“That means picking things to stop doing or do less of. And so far it has been a real struggle to identify the things that we would do less of,” said Cartmell.

Property tax notices go out next month.