AUMA President Barry Morishita, during a visit to Grande Prairie back in August of 2019 (Photo: Shaun Penner)

By rdnewsNOW staff

AUMA President's Summit

Alberta municipalities seek power to collect property taxes owed by failed oil & gas companies

Jan 27, 2020 | 7:05 AM

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) is calling on the province to change legislation to allow local governments to collect property taxes from oil and gas properties when they fail.

AUMA president Barry Morishita says having municipalities shoulder these economic burdens from oil and gas companies impairs the economy.

“Municipalities – both urban and rural – are already the most transparent, efficient, effective order of government. We cannot run deficits, which is why unpaid taxes by corporations are particularly unfair and result in increased costs directly borne by taxpayers,” said Morishita.

The AUMA represents cities, towns, villages, summer villages, and specialized municipalities where more than 85 per cent of Albertans live.

Earlier this week the Rural Municipalities of Alberta said its member communities are owed a total of 173 million dollars.

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“Having municipalities shouldering these economic burdens from oil and gas companies impairs our economy,” Morishita added. “We must all support each other so we can share in brighter times ahead and build strong communities, and a stronger Alberta.”

Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu says the government recognizes the effect the unpaid taxes is having on communities and is working on the problem.

(With file from The Canadian Press, AUMA media release)