Dear Editor
Mr. Victor Evans writes in the March 4 edition of the Now that “assessments have eliminated the homeowners’ grant for many.” That is true. But he goes on to say, “which has been a huge windfall for Burnaby.”
That is not true. The homeowners’ grant is completely controlled by the province.
The grant is applied against the school tax portion of the property tax bill that is collected by the city on behalf of the province.
The province sets the rate of school taxes, sets the amount of the homeowner grant and sets the parameters of when the grant is phased out.
This year, it is projected that only 81 per cent of Burnaby homes will be entitled to the homeowner grant, while the provincial average including all cities will be 91 per cent.
The “windfall” will be to the province of B.C., not the City of Burnaby.
In the coming weeks, city staff will be reporting to council on the impact of the increased assessments to our citizens.
Council had asked the province to freeze rates and review the impact of the overheated housing market on property owners.
The province rejected our request.
Colleen Jordan, councillor, vice-chair financial management committee
