Tax exemptions approved for curling club and cultural centre

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The city has begun the process of approving tax exemptions for two major community organizations. 

The City of Fort St. John council approved two permissive tax exemption bylaws for the North Peace Cultural Centre and the Fort St. John Curling Club during the August 25th regular meeting, introducing and reading the documents three times “by title only.”

The two organizations have had tax exemptions in the past, which expire in 2025. 

Prior to coming into legal authority, a bylaw must be read three times by council, and introduced “by title only,” meaning the bylaw exists but does not hold full legal authority until a later date. 

Therefore, while the city council approved the bylaws on August 25th, they will not be adopted until September 8th.

According to a report from staff to council, permissive tax exemptions for the two organizations are a way the city can ensure the “resources of community non-profit organizations are used to support core functions” being delivered on behalf of the community. 

Both the two non-profit groups operate within municipally-owned buildings being leased and operated under agreements.

Without a tax exemption, there would be a “significant” financial impact for both the non-profits and the city. 

“There would be a financial impact on the city, either to assume the taxes for the building or to add the tax amount to payments,” the report stated.

The bylaw for the cultural centre will remain in effect for three years, expiring on September 30th, 2028, and the curling club’s exemption will last for two years, expiring on September 30th, 2027.