Campbell River Council Votes to Remove Property Tax Exemption for Non-Profits, Citing Disruption in Downtown Area
The city council in Campbell River, B.C., has made a decision to revoke the property tax exemption for two non-profit organizations, claiming that they have been causing issues in the downtown area. The bylaw to implement this change will be voted on at the next council meeting, and if passed, the Campbell River Art Gallery and Vancouver Island Mental Health Society will be required to pay property taxes starting next year.
This move has raised concerns among the affected organizations. Sara Lopez Assu, the executive director of the gallery, worries that they will have to make cuts to their programming and possibly let go of staff members. The property tax exemption for non-profits is a common practice in British Columbia, often granted to museums, recreation groups, and community housing projects for a period of up to 10 years.
During the council meeting, one councillor, Ron Kerr, voiced his support for removing the exemption for the art gallery and the overdose prevention site operated by the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society. Kerr referred to the organizations as bad neighbours and accused them of harming the downtown area. He argued that providing an exemption to the overdose prevention site would be rewarding poor behavior, while stating that the art gallery had an extreme detrimental effect on local businesses. Another councillor, Ben Lanyon, supported Kerr’s view and claimed that the gallery allowed unhoused individuals to sleep on the premises.
Sara Lopez Assu responded to Lanyon’s claim, stating that there was no evidence to support it. She explained that the gallery has been working to include unhoused individuals in their programming and expressed their desire to be good neighbors, despite the challenges they face. The Vancouver Island Mental Health Society, which operates the overdose prevention site, could not be reached for comment.
Shawn Decaire, who manages Kwesa Place, a warming shelter and gathering place for people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River, expressed his disagreement with the council’s decision. Decaire believes that instead of working against non-profit organizations like the art gallery and mental health society, the council should be collaborating with them to address the issues of homelessness and drug use in the city. He highlighted the important role these organizations play in helping people affected by historical trauma, particularly within the Indigenous community.
Campbell River has been grappling with public safety concerns in its downtown core, leading to the proposal of a ban on illegal drug use in public spaces earlier this year. A survey conducted by the city revealed that many residents felt unsafe downtown, with drug consumption identified as one of the primary reasons. The provincial government has recently introduced a similar ban in various public areas.
The city manager of Campbell River confirmed that staff are working to implement the proposed tax bylaw changes. They invite groups to provide feedback or request modifications by contacting them via email. However, councillors Kerr and Lanyon did not respond to CBC’s requests for comment regarding their stance on the matter.
While the council’s decision to remove the property tax exemption for these non-profit organizations may address the concerns raised by some councillors, it has also sparked a debate about the role and impact of these organizations in the community. The potential financial burden imposed on the art gallery and mental health society could have consequences for their operations and ability to provide important services to the public. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the council’s decision will shape the future of these organizations and their contributions to the community.
