Victoria Chamber CEO Urges 0% Property Tax Increase Amid Cuts

UPDATE: In a bold move, John Wilson, the new CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, is calling for all 13 municipalities in the Capital Regional District (CRD) to adopt a 0% property tax increase for the upcoming year. This urgent request follows the recent proposal by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim to freeze property taxes in his final budget before next year’s election.

Just announced, Wilson urges local governments to cut expenses drastically to achieve this goal. He stated, “We’re saying cut your expenses to get to zero.” The pressure is mounting as Vancouver’s council has already approved a motion to develop a 2026 budget with no increase in property taxes, although specifics on cuts remain unclear.

Critics, however, warn that freezing property taxes could lead to substantial service cuts in the future. Keith Yachuca, a councillor in Langford and economic instructor at Camosun College, cautions that “the reality is that governments are running extremely lean.” He argues that a freeze now may result in a larger, unpredictable increase later, complicating future budget planning.

Wilson insists that essential services such as policing and firefighting should remain intact. He believes the necessary budget cuts should come from “quality of life projects” like arts programs, which he mentioned may be the first to face reductions. “We do know…we need to get to zero,” Wilson emphasized.

The urgency of this matter is palpable as no other municipalities have yet submitted similar motions in response to Wilson’s call. With budget decisions looming, the potential impact on local services could resonate throughout the communities in the CRD.

As discussions continue, Wilson maintains that municipalities must trim unnecessary expenses to maintain fiscal responsibility. “We believe there is some fat that could be trimmed to get to zero,” he stated, suggesting a need for a thorough review of current spending.

As this situation develops, residents and local leaders will be watching closely to see how municipalities balance the demand for lower taxes with the need to sustain vital services. The outcome of this budget debate could have lasting implications for the quality of life in the Greater Victoria area.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.