Victoria property taxes could increase by 9% this year
Property taxes in Victoria could rise sharply this year as the city grapples with inflation.
Property taxes in the city could go up by nearly nine per cent this year.
City staff have recommended an 8.99 per cent increase in taxes to maintain the city's level of services.
The recommended increase is driven largely by inflation, salaries and supply chain issues.
Staff estimate that the higher taxes would translate to an additional $251 per year for homeowners, and more than $600 per year for a typical business in the city.
The proposed increase has not yet been discussed by city council. Councillors will debate the recommended increase Thursday.
One city councillor told CTV News they think the increase is too high.
"I know our food costs, our mortgage costs, our insurance costs, and I think this is something this council really has to consider," said Coun. Matt Dell.
Phil Nicholls, who owns a running store in downtown Victoria, says he wouldn't pass the new expense of higher property taxes onto customers, which would hurt his bottom line.
"Those are all costs, also, of running business," he said.
Bruce Williams with the Victoria Chamber of Commerce says that attitude likely won't be the norm among business owners.
"This is one more time where the cost of business will be passed on to the consumer," he said. "It's a fact. We see it every day."
An official statement on how much taxes will rise in the city will likely come in about a month.
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto notes that city council has yet to decide what its spending priorities are for its new budget.
She adds that the city's current policy is to limit tax increases to the rate of inflation plus one per cent.
It's a policy the city may abandon given how high inflation is right now.
"The first thing we have to do is confirm what policy is going to drive our decisions, and then marry that with whatever our priorities could be," said Alto.
Last year, the city's tax increase was less than four per cent, says Alto.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
3 children killed in Nashville school shooting, suspect dead
Three children were killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday morning before police 'engaged' the suspected attacker, leaving the suspect dead, local officials said.
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget includes a 'grocery rebate' that will be offered to Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
MP Han Dong threatens legal action against Global over foreign interference report
Han Dong is threatening legal action against Global News and its parent company Corus Entertainment after the media outlet published an allegation the Toronto MP spoke to a Chinese diplomat about delaying the release of two Canadians.
Sask. judge grants bail to sisters who say they were wrongfully convicted
A Saskatchewan judge has granted bail to two sisters who have spent nearly 30 years in prison for what they say are wrongful murder convictions.
Advocate questions whether Air Canada has 'cultural problem' after issue with teen's wheelchair
Flying over the Grand Canyon was a highlight for the Gellisen family during their trip to Phoenix, but their flight home to Toronto was a much different experience, with several family members forced off of the flight over tensions related to a teen's wheelchair.
'Rigorous' cost management needed as $5B Centre Block renovation proceeds: AG report
Despite delayed decision-making by parliamentarians, Canada's massive renovation of Parliament Hill's Centre Block is being effectively managed so far, according to a new audit. However, 'rigorous' cost management will be needed as the work proceeds, cautions auditor general Karen Hogan.
Quebec girl, 9, dies after snow fort collapses behind residence
A nine-year-old girl has died after a snow fort collapsed in a forest behind a rural Quebec home.
Xylazine: Expert view on risk of lethal substance in Canada’s street drug supply
Another harmful substance is spreading within Canada's unregulated street drug supply and, without more aggressive intervention from policymakers, one expert says a growing number of people could be at risk of serious illness, injury or death.
Essential oils and a secret code name: Things you didn't know about the coronation
King Charles III's coronation will be held on May 6 at London's Westminster Abbey. Here are some little-known facts about the ceremony:
Vancouver
-
Investigation underway after fire in Vancouver’s Chinatown deemed suspicious
A fire in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood on Sunday evening is being investigated as suspicious.
-
Burial plots in Metro Vancouver are now so expensive, they're being compared to real estate
Burial plots have become such a hot commodity in Metro Vancouver, one spot in a Burnaby cemetery is being sold privately online for $54,000.
-
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget includes a 'grocery rebate' that will be offered to Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
Edmonton
-
LIVE @ 11:45 A.M. MT
LIVE @ 11:45 A.M. MT | Edmonton hosts funeral for officers killed in the line of duty; families thank Canadians for support
The appreciation and respect shown by the public after two Edmonton Police Service officers were killed in the line of duty has not gone unnoticed, their families said in a statement ahead of the regimental funeral on Monday.
-
In Pictures: Remembering Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan
On March 27, a regimental funeral will be held for Edmonton Police Service Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan who were killed in the line of duty on March 16, 2023.
-
What you need to know about the regimental funeral Monday
The procession for two Edmonton police officers who were killed in the line of duty is scheduled to leave the Alberta Legislature grounds toward Rogers Place at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Toronto
-
Teen who died after Toronto subway station stabbing remembered as kind, good friend
A 16-year-old who died after an apparently unprovoked stabbing at a Toronto subway station is being remembered as a kind person who enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
-
Trucker pleads guilty to careless driving in 2020 death of activist outside pig slaughterhouse
A truck driver has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a 65-year-old animal rights activist.
-
Hamilton school experiences second bomb threat in under a week
For the second time in under a week, police were called to a Hamilton school that received a bomb threat.
Calgary
-
Calgary emergency crews respond to explosion, house fire in Marlborough
Calgary emergency crews were called to a home in the community of Marlborough on Monday for reports of an explosion and fire
-
LIVE @ 11:45 A.M. MT
LIVE @ 11:45 A.M. MT | Edmonton hosts funeral for officers killed in the line of duty; families thank Canadians for support
The appreciation and respect shown by the public after two Edmonton Police Service officers were killed in the line of duty has not gone unnoticed, their families said in a statement ahead of the regimental funeral on Monday.
-
KLM flight en route to Calgary following detour back to Amsterdam due to unruly passenger
A KLM flight bound for Calgary was delayed Sunday morning when an unruly passenger forced the airline to return to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.
Montreal
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Police find 6th and 7th body inside site of Old Montreal fire
Police say they have found a sixth and seventh body inside a building in Old Montreal that burned down 11 days ago.
-
Quebec proposes extending nurses' bonuses to June
Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel is proposing the bonuses paid to nurses — which are set to expire next Thursday — be extended at least through June.
-
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget includes a 'grocery rebate' that will be offered to Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
Atlantic
-
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget includes a 'grocery rebate' that will be offered to Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
-
RCMP cancels emergency alert for woman in Indian Brook, N.S.
An emergency alert involving “a dangerous female with a handgun” in Indian Brook, N.S., has been cancelled, police say.
-
HMCS Montreal departs Halifax for Indo-Pacific operation
A Royal Canadian Navy frigate departed Halifax today as part of the federal government's wider strategy of boosting its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Winnipeg
-
Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower income Canadians: sources
The 2023 federal budget includes a 'grocery rebate' that will be offered to Canadians with lower incomes who may be struggling with the rising cost of food, CTV News has confirmed.
-
Manitoba launching new park reservation system today
Manitoba’s new park reservation system is launching on Monday.
-
‘When are we going to see action?’: The changes needed for Manitoba’s cannabis rules
Nearly five years after the legalization of marijuana in Canada, one local cannabis retailer feels Manitoba should be more proactive and flexible when it comes to regulating pot sales in our province.
Kitchener
-
Cashier at St. Marys Foodland stops fraud at counter: Stratford police
Stratford police are praising a cashier at a St. Marys Foodland that recognized a case of fraud and helped stop it.
-
Trucker pleads guilty to careless driving in 2020 death of activist outside pig slaughterhouse
A truck driver has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a 65-year-old animal rights activist.
-
PLAYOFF TRACKER
PLAYOFF TRACKER | Kitchener Rangers taking on Windsor Spitfires in first round
The Kitchener Rangers are back in the OHL playoffs and looking to pull off an upset.
Regina
-
Sask. judge grants bail to sisters who say they were wrongfully convicted
A Saskatchewan judge has granted bail to two sisters who have spent nearly 30 years in prison for what they say are wrongful murder convictions.
-
Fifth flight of displaced Ukrainians set to touch down in Regina
A fifth and final flight of displaced Ukrainians will arrive in Saskatchewan on March 27, according to the province.
-
Sask. village loses arena in late night 'inferno'
The Village of Liberty is grieving the loss of its rink after it fell victim to a late night 'inferno' over the weekend.
Barrie
-
Passenger charged with assaulting Barrie transit driver
Barrie Police were called to the Essa Road and Burton Ave. area after a transit driver said a young man had assaulted him.
-
Story Book Park Road closed in Meaford, Ont. for death investigation
Grey Bruce OPP have closed a section of Story Book Park Road in Meaford, Ont. for a death investigation.
-
Smoking materials cause garage fire in Barrie's north end
A garage fire on Scott Crescent was caused by smoking materials.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon Blades face Pats in opening round of WHL playoffs
The Saskatoon Blades' last two home games of the season have been against the Regina Pats, and with top NHL prospect Connor Bedard drawing big crowds wherever he's playing, almost 30,000 fans have come through the turnstiles at Sasktel Centre.
-
Change proposed to high-collision Saskatoon intersection
City administrators are calling for a design change on Main Street and Clarence Avenue that would prevent vehicles from using Main Street as a thoroughfare rather than 8th Street.
-
Two Saskatoon teens arrested after allegedly fleeing police in stolen car
Two teens were arrested on Saturday morning after allegedly evading police in a stolen car.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury murder trial hears closing arguments
Closing arguments are being heard at the Sudbury courthouse Monday in the trial for the man accused of killing Renee Sweeney in 1998.
-
Why lettuce prices are likely to rise again in Canada next month
Lettuce prices are likely to rise next month and could stay high into the summer, agriculture experts say, as flooding in a key California farming area becomes the latest example of extreme weather's effect on the food chain.
-
3 children killed in Nashville school shooting, suspect dead
Three children were killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday morning before police 'engaged' the suspected attacker, leaving the suspect dead, local officials said.