Five provincial organizations, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, Saskatchewan School Boards Association and the Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan, held a joint news conference on September 21st asking the provincial government to decrease education taxes on property.

While APAS supports a reduction in education property taxes, the association believes that reforms are necessary to the current tax formula to address inequities.

“We agree with the coalition that reductions in education property tax are necessary. However when inequities exist within the method of calculating tax, you aren’t going to solve that problem through reductions based on an equal change for everyone. If that process is followed, you will still have inequities,” stated APAS President Terry Hildebrandt. “The one issue that isn’t being addressed properly by the coalition is the disproportionate tax base on farm land.”

During the past decade, property taxes in rural Saskatchewan have increased by over 25 per cent, while the agricultural land portion of the rural land base has increased by more than 50 per cent. In comparison urban environments have only increased 12 per cent.

“Tax reform that allows a fair reduction in education property tax would be welcome news as a first step toward removal.” said Hildebrandt.

APAS will continue to fight for fairness in taxation for rural Saskatchewan.