Crowsnest Pass boosts seniors tax rebate to $500

Crowsnest Pass council voted to increase the municipality’s Seniors Property Tax Rebate Program from $325 to $500.

Councillor Dean Ward brought the item forward during the April 28 regular council meeting, saying rising taxes have placed pressure on residents, particularly seniors with lower incomes.

“We’ve seen more additions to our taxes in the last few years,” said Ward. said Ward.

Ward said the program is designed to help lower income seniors and argued the municipality should increase the amount available.

“This program was designed exactly for lower income years,” said Ward.

He said he did not have a problem increasing the rebate to support vulnerable residents.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kristin Colucci said eligibility is tied to the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement. Applicants must receive GIS, own the home as their primary residence and apply each year.

She said that means the municipality does not need to directly verify income, because the federal program has already determined eligibility.

“You have to be receiving the income supplement,” said Colucci.

She said about 91 people used the program last year, though the number varies depending on whether eligible seniors are moving in, selling homes or applying.

Councillor Doreen Johnson said she supported the concern for low income residents, but noted renters can also be affected by property tax increases when costs are passed on through rent.

“Our low-income people get hit really hard with rent increases too and they don’t qualify for this because they’re not the property owner paying the taxes,” said Johnson.

She said expanding the program to renters would likely require further consideration in a future budget cycle.

Ward said adding renters would raise additional issues and should be a separate budget discussion.

Council passed Ward’s motion to increase the rebate from $325 to $500.

Crowsnest Pass council also passed an administrative amendment to the Cameron School Road Closure Bylaw after Land Titles rejected the previous legal description.

Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 1268, 2026, the Cameron School Road Closure Amending Bylaw, during the April 28 regular meeting.

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kristin Colucci said the original road closure bylaw had already received three readings and gone through a public hearing. However, Land Titles rejected the legal description after it was submitted.

“This bylaw already received three readings already, had a public hearing however when it was sent to land titles, they rejected our legal description,” said Colucci.

She said the amendment adds the words “as area A” to the legal description.

Councillor Doreen Johnson moved first reading. Councillor Doreen Glavin moved second reading. Councillor Dean Ward moved consideration of third reading and later moved third reading.

Because the bylaw required three readings in one meeting, council first passed first and second readings, then unanimously agreed to proceed to third reading before passing the bylaw.

Mayor Pat Rypien asked whether the bylaw would now be sent back to Land Titles.

Colucci said the minister had already signed the road closure and thanked council for moving the amendment forward quickly.

“We got it through Council pretty quickly, so thank you for that. No delay there,” said Colucci.

The amended bylaw will now be sent back so the road closure can be registered.