B.C. Ministry of Finance looks to ‘modernize’ BC Hydro grants with feedback sessions

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has been invited to participate in an engagement session towards modernizing the payments it receives from BC Hydro.

A letter included in the agenda for the PRRD board of directors meeting on November 20th details engagement sessions being held by the B.C. Ministry of Finance about BC Hydro’s grants in lieu of property taxes (GILTs).

As a Crown corporation, BC Hydro generating facilities are exempt from paying property taxes through the Hydro and Power Authority Act of 1996, and instead provide grants in lieu of taxes. 

These are provided to 32 local governments across the province which have generating facilities within their communities, including the Peace River Regional District. 

Jeremy Hewitt, an assistant deputy minister at the Ministry of Health, wrote the ministry was working to “identify modernization opportunities” for the grants to “ensure the program remains relevant and continues to meet its policy goals.” 

“The formula and calculation methodology are complex, and certain elements are outdated and no longer reflect current data,” Hewitt said. 

As such, the ministry stated it would be accepting feedback from governments for potential changes which would be implemented starting for the 2027 tax year. 

Feedback is being collected in two virtual sessions, one on December 4th and another on December 9th, where ministry staff will provide a brief background on the program and policy, as well as detailed areas for possible modernization.

The regional district has been invited to attend one of the sessions, with a deadline of November 28th to confirm its attendance.