Proposed changes to Municipal Government Act could mean big things for Alberta
Posted May 31, 2016 3:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Changes to the way Alberta operates could mean tax relief for Alberta’s small and large businesses.
Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee presented the modernized Municipal Government Act on Tuesday and said changes are needed.
“Right now, all businesses are charged the same property tax rate regardless of their size. Changes to the MGA (Municipal Government Act) will empower municipalities to create a more flexible property tax framework between small and large businesses,” Larivee said.
It will be left up to the local municipalities to set out the framework around how much businesses pay for property taxes
The proposed change also means more space could be set aside for affordable housing.
“Right now, there are more than 30,000 Albertans on wait lists for government supported affordable housing units or programs,” Larivee said. “Will enable inclusionary housing which will allow municipalities to reserve a portion of a new development for affordable housing.”
The bill passed first reading Tuesday and the government hopes to have everything in place before the next municipal election in 2017.
