The City of Edmonton's budget for both capital and operating expenses was approved by a very slim majority of City Councillors on Friday Dec 16th. As a consequence in 2026 your taxes will be about $584 more than in 2022.  That is a 20 percent increase!

Here's the calculation:

• 2023  4.96% increase = $136 more
• 2024  4.96% increase = $142 more again
• 2025  4.95% increase = $150 yet more again
• 2026  4.39% increase = $156  and even more again.

Here is the extract from the City's press release:

"The approved budget represents a 4.96 per cent tax increase in 2023 and 2024, 4.95 per cent in 2025 and 4.39 per cent in 2026. Edmonton households can expect to pay about $725 in 2023 for every $100,000 of assessed home value, an increase of $34 from 2022. " 

With inflation through the roof and the increased costs of food and tremendous increase in mortgage costs, Edmontonians SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD hugely higher and exorbitant city taxes.

The most vulnerable in our city will be faced with an inability to pay all the costs of  living and housing. 

The results:  More homelessness.  More trips to the Food Bank. More mental health issues. More kids suffering.

THE SOLUTION:

• Simple
• Straight forward
• CITY COUNCIL SHOULD RECONVENE AND REVIEW THEIR  BUDGET  and FIND SAVINGS!
• HOW:    Sign this petition.  Spread the word about this petition. Call your Councillor and tell them about the petition.

You can read the City press release here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-Release---City-Council-approves-2023-2026-Budget.html?soid=1127191170163&aid=Nasn46rvM-g