• Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency Operating Effectively: Independent Review

  Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
  Date: 2026-10-26 23:00:00.0
  Tags: [Saskatchewan, Taxation, Governance, Infrastructure]

  The Government of Saskatchewan released an independent review conducted by Upfront Consulting regarding the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA), which manages a property assessment base valued at over $278 billion supporting approximately $2.63 billion in annual municipal and education property taxes. The review concluded that SAMA is operating effectively with strong professional competence and management capacity, while identifying four specific areas for improvement: board member appointments, advisory committees, stakeholder engagement, and conflict of interest guidelines. Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz and SAMA CEO Shaun Cooney noted that the findings will be used to enhance transparency, stakeholder participation, and the province's property revaluation cycle.

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• Industry leader lauds Edmonton's proposed industrial investment plan

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-21 20:53:29.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Economy, Taxation, Industry, Infrastructure]

  The City of Edmonton is considering a new industrial investment plan during its upcoming four-year budget deliberations to stimulate non-residential tax growth and job creation. Proposed incentives include a 25 per cent property tax forgiveness for three years for new industrial builds—costing the city roughly $1 million annually while opening up 15 hectares of land per year—and a $23 million four-year 'first mover' plan allowing developers to apply for municipal infrastructure cost reimbursements. Panattoni Development vice-president Mark Edwards lauded the initiatives, noting they will help overcome investment freezes and competition from surrounding municipalities with lower service costs. Currently, only 2.6 per cent of Edmonton's industrial land is shovel-ready, falling short of the city's 4.5 per cent target.

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• Minister Pardy Tables 2025-26 Public Accounts

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-10-16 16:05:45.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Finance, Economy, Taxation, Infrastructure]

  The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released its independently audited 2025-26 Public Accounts ahead of the November 1 statutory deadline, revealing a deficit of $377.6 million, which is $5.8 million higher than originally budgeted. Total revenue exceeded the budget by $420.8 million, bolstered by offshore royalties reaching $1.7 billion—approximately $350 million higher than the previous year—along with increased taxation and federal revenues. The province invested approximately $774 million in capital acquisitions for public infrastructure, transportation assets, health care facilities, and schools, while net debt at year-end was approximately $434 million lower than originally budgeted and the unfunded pension liability declined by approximately $483 million.

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• Small-town mayors face growth backlash as Edmonton grapples with population surge

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-15 21:49:05.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Governance, Taxation]

  According to the BILD Edmonton Metro 2026 State of the Region report, row house and apartment permits in regional Edmonton municipalities surged by over 600 per cent over a five-year period amid population growth. Regional leaders, including Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank, and Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Lisa Makin, highlighted constituent backlash against development and the ongoing challenge of balancing growth with demands for municipal services without raising property taxes. The data shows provincial housing starts increased 130.8 per cent between 2020 and 2025, with Edmonton issuing $3.2 billion in building permits in 2025, while regional municipalities experienced average permit turnaround times ranging from 5 to 26 days compared to Edmonton's 53.8 days.

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• Yellowknife city council moves community, transport plans in possible last meeting of term

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-09-24 15:31:26.0
  Tags: [Municipal, Housing, Transportation, Taxation, Infrastructure]

  The Yellowknife City Council passed a 25-year community growth plan, adopted a comprehensive transportation plan targeting pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, and approved a new vacant land tax class taking effect in January 2028 to penalize undeveloped property. Additionally, the council established a major projects and opportunities secretariat municipal department to support national defence infrastructure investments, such as extending piped water and sewer to the Yellowknife airport. The community plan amendment passed second reading despite opposition and now awaits final review and approval by the territorial Department of Municipal and Community Affairs before a potential third reading.

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• B.C. economy shows resilience in first quarterly report

  Source: British Columbia - Government News
  Date: 2026-09-14 19:30:00.0
  Tags: [British Columbia, Economy, Finance, Taxation, Infrastructure, Emergency]

  British Columbia's First Quarterly Report for 2026-2027 projects a provincial deficit of $13.8 billion—$450 million higher than Budget 2026—driven by an intense wildfire season with fire-management expenditures forecast at $614 million higher than budget and $458 million in higher refundable tax credits. Total provincial revenue is forecast at $86.3 billion, bolstered by corporate and personal income taxes, while real GDP growth for 2026 is forecast at 0.9% amid U.S. tariffs and global volatility. Taxpayer-supported capital spending is maintained at $12.9 billion for projects including the Quw’utsun Valley Hospital, the new St. Paul’s Hospital, and Highway 1 Colquitz River Bridges widening, alongside eight newly approved major capital projects.

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• 'Balancing act': City juggles split views and steep costs in budget feedback

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-08 22:38:09.0
  Tags: [Municipal, Finance, Taxation, Economy, Infrastructure]

  The City of Edmonton presented its city-wide budget feedback report for the upcoming four-year budget cycle, highlighting competing public priorities between maintaining infrastructure like roads and keeping property taxes low. City planners reported a current year-to-date financial surplus of $106.4 million, projected to narrow to roughly $500,000 by year-end, while acknowledging that impending U.S. tariffs and heavy summer rain damage present emerging cost risks. Mayor Andrew Knack and city councillors noted ongoing tensions regarding funding levels for police, public transit, and core services amid rising operational inventories and inflationary pressures.

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