Councillor Defends Hotel Tax

PRINCE GEORGE – During a presentation to Council by Northern BC Tourism, Councillor Brian Skakun had some harsh words for the Province. In the provincial budget, there is the suggestion that the regulation could be changed, allowing municipalities the opportunity to use the Municipal and Regional District Tax, commonly called the Hotel Tax, to pay for affordable housing.

Skakun called that a “serious political mistake” and that local governments “have to fight” that move.

He says the loss of the Hotel Tax would cripple Tourism Prince George, which currently receives $1.1 million dollars from that tax.

He says this new comes on the heels of the financial impacts to the Employer Health Tax, which replaces the Medical Services Plan. That hit, he suggested, could be as much as $600,000.