Victims of 2023 wildfires will be protected from property tax spikes as they rebuild
After months of uncertainty and advocacy, Tricia Murray-d’Eon and her neighbors received some positive news last Friday. The owners of 165 residential properties that were destroyed by wildfires in various areas of Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne County in 2023 will not be hit with increased property tax bills as they rebuild.
“It’s been an incredibly stressful time,” Murray-d’Eon shared in an interview. “But we’re choosing to see this as a win, and we’re feeling quite relieved about it.”
The recent amendments to the Residential and Resource Property Taxation Assessment Regulations have introduced a new definition and classification for property owners whose homes were lost in the fires. These changes ensure that affected homeowners will only be taxed based on their 2023 assessments, adjusted for inflation, as long as the new structures do not exceed 25% of the original square footage (excluding basements).
Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr explained that this buffer accounts for any necessary construction changes to comply with updated building codes. The decision to implement these amendments came after Murray-d’Eon and other affected residents pushed for this change.
Last spring, then-Liberal MLA Ben Jessome introduced legislation at Province House to safeguard property owners from tax spikes, but the Progressive Conservative government did not support the bill. However, during the recent provincial election campaign, Premier Tim Houston pledged to provide protection to those impacted by natural disasters, a promise that he fulfilled shortly after taking office.
“This change in direction was a direct result of the premier engaging with constituents,” Lohr stated. “We are committed to keeping our promises and ensuring that affected property owners are supported.”
Murray-d’Eon expressed her gratitude for the swift action taken after the election and hopes that similar protections will be extended to victims of other natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and future wildfires. While Lohr did not make any commitments regarding future disasters, he assured that his department continuously evaluates their programs to meet the needs of the community.
The reassurance provided to these homeowners serves as a beacon of hope for those affected by unforeseen tragedies, emphasizing the importance of government responsiveness and support in times of crisis.
