Campbell River rescinds Permissive Tax Exemption cuts

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There was an enormous public response to the city of Campbell River’s proposed Permissive Tax Exemption (PTE) cuts, made at the September 28 Council Meeting.  Hundreds of people wrote letters and emails protesting this action and Campbell River was criticized by BC’s MInistry of Housing. Consequently, the cuts were rescinded on Friday October 12.

One of the most controversial pieces was removal of the Campbell River Art Gallery’s PTE for their ‘bad behaviour’ in not confronting homeless people camped outside their doors. Sara Lopez Assu, Executive Director of the CRAG, informed Cortes Currents they are tenants in the Centennial Buildings with no authority over what happens outside. She and her staff persuaded the homeless people to leave during the hours the gallery is open. Council was informed of this in 2021 and again in 2022.  

BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon referred to the Campbell River Council’s actions at a press conference in Kelowna.
“This is not easy work, to go in and support people who are very vulnerable, who are struggling, and to have a city attack people because they’re trying to do their best to make sure people are housed is not the way you address this.”

There was a decidedly different mood at Campbell River City council on the evening of October 12.
Councillor Susan Sinnot referred to a conversation with the art gallery just prior to the meeting.

“I think the conversation was incredibly productive in the entryway. And then I think also our city manager reflected that that happened. There was basically a commitment to have great dialogue and work together. What I think everyone really wants is to resolve our issues cooperatively and move together. So, having that message from your chair is wonderful for us. I don't know whether that means you need to do any more presentations. What do you say?”

“No, I feel confident in my chair,” replied Sara Lopez Assu, from the public area.

Councillor Sinnot: “Excellent. Thank you and thank you everybody for showing up tonight and showing your support for the art gallery. And I'm really pleased that the conversation's happened. Thank you for listening to us and letting us listen to you.

At the last meeting, Councillor Ron Kerr labelled the gallery and safe injection site ‘bad neighbours.’ His eyes were averted when he read out a series of motions including:

“I move that permissive tax exemption 2023 be amended so that all 90 percent tax exemptions are adjusted back to 100%, and those less than that be adjusted back up equally in a prorated manner.”

“I move that Council direct staff to review and make recommendations to the city policy on the current PTE limit of 1.7 percent and the allocation amounts to individual organizations.”