As the country braces itself for the financial impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's new import tariff for Canada, Langford locals have appealed to the city to think twice before raising its property tax.
“I would hope the council … is looking to do everything you can in your power in this current time to minimize the city’s expenditures and tax increase, until we have more certainty about what’s going on,” said Steve Rossander at a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 30, warning councillors the tariff will have a “very significant negative economic impact” on everyone.
“With a storm brewing on the horizon, it’s not the time to be planning for a party in the garden or the park,” he added.
Budget discussions at the City of Langford kicked off in January.
The city has said "significant budget pressures" in 2025 will include RCMP and fire department staffing and the recent acquisitions of the Westhills YW/YMCA Langford Aquatic Centre and Woodlands Park.
Langford is also facing the downloading of the cost of the E-Comm 911 police dispatch service from the province and federal governments, which could cost the city around $1.5 million in 2025 and raise property tax by almost three per cent.
Alongside opportunities to participate in city meetings, the city has also launched an online budget survey for residents.
The Jan. 30 meeting was the first time residents were able to publicly participate – a small handful of locals took part.
“We need to bring this budget down,” said Lisa Foxhall, who also pointed to “uncertain times” ahead with Trump’s tariff on the horizon.
“It’s time to protect Langford … our residents … our seniors … our families and protect single parents,” added Foxhall.
A sentiment echoed by Derek Ferguson, who expressed concerns for seniors and single-income homes. “Taxpayer’s wallets do not keep up with inflation,” he said.
Another resident urged the council to create a budget focusing on the city’s “needs” not “wants and desires.”
“We can afford to wait, but we can’t afford massively higher taxes,” they said.
The 2025-2029 proposed five-year financial plan, which will include the proposed tax increase for this year, will be made available to the public at the Feb. 20 committee of the whole meeting.
The city’s plan for 2024-2028, approved last year, proposed an 11.41 per cent tax increase for 2025, but this did not include the cost for the E-Comm service.
Questions were raised by the public about why, when the city knew the cost was being downloaded, E-Comm had not been previously budgeted for.
According to Michael Dillabaugh, director of finance, Langford – as well as the other nine south Island municipalities affected – had hoped ongoing discussions with the province would be successful in pausing the plan.
While most of B.C. will continue to have their services funded by the provincial and federal governments, all 10 south Island mayors have again appealed for a reprieve from the incoming offloading of the service. Representatives gathered Jan. 30 on the legislature's steps, describing the decision as “inequitable, unfair and unsustainable."
At the city meeting, Coun. Keith Yacucha urged residents to write to their MLA and add their voice to the mayors’ protest.
"We are being double-dipped for this and that is a big concern for me,” said Yacucha, explaining how residents will still pay for federal-funded dispatch services through income taxes. “If this goes through, you are going to be paying for E-Comm through your property taxes.”
For a full list of 2025 budget meetings, and how to participate, visit the website: www.Langford.ca/Budget.
