Prince George’s Standing Committee on Finance and Audit will assess potential permissive tax exemptions for 2026 at its Wednesday, Aug. 20 meeting.
Municipal governments can grant exemptions for taxes owed on properties owned by non-profits, public entities, religious institutions and more as a way of supporting their work without directly giving them money.
The City of Prince George generally offers exemptions of up to four years, though owners are expected to make annual applications and update the city on what changes have occurred.
A report attached to the meeting’s agenda states that the total estimated value for the tax exemptions recommended by administration for 2026 is $2,201,373. That’s equivalent to about 1.47 per cent of the tax levy in Prince George’s 2025 budget.
Of that total, $1,316,500 is for properties owned by non-profit organizations.
Administration is recommending that two new exemptions worth $4,616 be added to this category for 2026.
Two properties are being removed from the list of exemptions. 2440 Abbott Cres. was owned by AiMHi and 663 Douglas St. was owned by Prince George Elks Lodge no. 122, but both have been sold.
However, AiMHi has applied for a new exemption for 1177 Francois Cres., which is being used as a residence for people with developmental disabilities, and the Nature Trust of BC has applied for an exemption for a property on Ferguson Lake Road, which is adjacent to other already-exempt properties used by the public and for conservation.
Administration is recommending that these two applications be approved.
It’s also recommending that six other applications in the non-profit category be denied. These include three properties owned by the Aboriginal Housing Society, one owned by the BC SPCA, Riverbend Community seniors’ housing and the Providence Living Society seniors’ facility being built at 6500 Southridge Ave.
There were no new applications for exemptions for places of public worship, but two properties have been removed from the list due to sales.
After Faith Alive Fellowship sold its property at 3400 Hart Highway to Timbers Community Church, Timbers is looking to have its exemption switched there from its old location on Third Avenue.
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at 3590 Dufferin Ave. was sold in June to Carrier Sekani Family Services and the new owner has not applied for an exemption.
There are two new applications for tenants of municipal owned land. One is from the YMCA daycare centre on Sixth Avenue and the other is for the Tsul Choh Daycare Centre on Dagg Road.
“Administration recommends these applications be denied as the permissive tax exemption policy does not allow exemptions for buildings with commercial activity that are in competition with for-profit businesses,” the report said. “There are more than 100 active business licenses for daycare services within the city.”
The meeting starts at noon in council chambers on the second floor of Prince George City Hall.
