British Columbians who own a private residence are about to receive an increase in the
home owner grant from the province.
Effective Jan. 12, 2011, the rules of the Home Owner Grant Act have been changed so that there are the "Lower Mainland and Capital City" and the "Northern and Rural" regions.
To see the exact details of this Act and the increases of the grants, here is the precise link on the Internet http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96194_01#section2
To simplify the link, go to www.bclaws.ca and for a search type in "Home owner grant Act". There you will find the exact amount every home owner (will, should, could, maybe, ) receive.
Keep in mind that the local governments and regional districts are already keenly aware of this. I find it interesting that this news has been largely downplayed by the mainstream media.
Coincidentally with this increase, the City of Prince George is building a multi-million dollar
police station, and of course down the road, is sponsoring the multi-million dollar Northern
Winter games, both of which need to be paid for.
Ironically, at the same time, "they" say that the average assessment for homes in the City
has increased by five per cent. Mine has increased by 23 per cent for no apparent reason other than homes that sold during the year set the trend.
So we have an increase in the home owner grant followed by an increase in the assessment of properties, an eventual increase in the debt load to the city in excess of $50 million, and a whole lot of bureaucratic whitewash to confuse the taxpaying public.
Hmmmmm... watch out for the pickpockets.
The alarm bells have already been sounded once in the last three months for the spending habits of the City of Prince George.
I for one will be scrutinizing both my assessment and tax notices very carefully and I urge everyone else to do the same. We cannot afford any more tax increases.
Bob Viergever
Prince George
