Daycare operators in Saskatchewan are fighting for consistency in how property tax rates are applied. Right now there is no standard system in the province. In this province, some daycares do not pay taxes because they are located in exempt properties like schools or churches. Others have struck agreements with municipalities for exemptions.
For those that do pay taxes, there are discrepancies between centres that are assessed as residential or commercial properties, and the drastically different bills that come along with that.
Saskatchewan daycares are exclusively non-profit, so it means parents face fee increases every time property rates go up.
The biggest thing above all else is consistency, operators across the province would like an even and equal playing field. Recent reassessments in some cities have seen daycares face increases of more than $7,000. With the province looking to locate more daycares in tax-exempt schools (there are currently 128 of them), it’s an issue the government recognizes it has to examine.
Jennifer Brown, who runs the ABC Learning Center in Elrose told West Central Online their taxes are going to go up to $8900 this year which is causing even more stress on the center. For the entire interview with Jennifer click below:
The Rosetown Kid Kare center is tax-exempt, but they also pay very high rent as well said Karen Welter, Director of the Kid Kare center in Rosetown.
For the whole interview with Karen click below:
Thu, Apr 25, 9:30 AM
