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Albertans are told, year after year, right before the holidays, that municipal tax increases are “unavoidable.”

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Inflation. Growth. Aging infrastructure. Pick your justification.

Yet, what’s missing from the conversation is where are the municipalities that have actually cut spending, held the line or delivered tax relief? They’re nowhere to be found — and that says everything about the state of municipal priorities in Alberta.

Across the province, property taxes continue to climb while households and small businesses struggle with higher interest rates, insurance premiums, utility bills and payroll costs. For many business owners, property tax is now the fastest-growing and least predictable expense. And unlike other costs, there is no competitive alternative — you pay what your municipality demands or you shut your doors.

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