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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
“These grants are just
part of our ongoing commitment to
Grants-in-lieu of property taxes
are distributed as a way to compensate municipalities for services that
benefited government properties. In the past, it was the practice that one
level of government did not tax the property of another level of government.
However, beginning in the 1960s the Province began to recognize its
responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefited
these properties, such as roads, sewers, and fire protection.
The annual grants are based on
the assessed value of provincially owned office buildings and other properties
in each municipality. They are paid through Accommodation and Real Estate
Services, a division of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services.
Since 2002, ARES and its
predecessor organization have distributed more than
$124 million as grants-in-lieu to B.C. municipalities.
Each municipality sends a
portion of its grant-in-lieu to its regional district, and those local
governments use the money to help pay for local services.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services 250 387-3134 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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