City of Fort St. John grants property tax exemption to North Peace Search and Rescue

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John has granted a permissive tax exemption for the North Peace Search and Rescue (NPSAR).

During a meeting on April 27th, 2026, the City of Fort St. John provided NPSAR a five-year permissive tax exemption.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Milo MacDonald, the exemption is a way for it to provide financial support to non-profit organizations operating in the community. 

“The North Peace Search and Rescue offers a critical community emergency service and operates out of a city-owned building,” MacDonald said. “The net impact of this bylaw will be lower accommodation costs for NPSAR.”

According to the City of Fort St. John council’s April 27th agenda, NPSAR is a “Team of highly trained, professional volunteers serving Fort St. John and the surrounding region. Their mission has two main purposes: to provide critical search and rescue services and to promote outdoor safety and resilience through education and outreach.” 

The city said it supports the essential search and rescue operations that safeguard residents of Fort St. John by providing NPSAR with space at 10908 100th Avenue for equipment storage and training. 

NPSAR’s exemption will be valid from 2027 to 2031, and will expire on February 28th, 2031.