Moose Jaw taxes not as competitive with closest Saskatchewan cities

A chart prepared by city finance with the City of Moose Jaw budget shows this city has the sixth lowest commercial property tax rate in the province Commercial taxes on $200,000 assessment were $3,878 in Moose Jaw last year, well below the high of $5,901 in Prince Albert but 57 per cent above the lowest rate of $2,913 in Saskatoon, In fact, the comparison indicates Moose Jaw is eight per cent above the average $4,212 tax. When compared with seven other cities that battle closely with Moose Jaw for business investment, this city’s commercial tax structure is not as enticing as sixth lowest in the province seems.

Two larger cities vying with Moose Jaw for business have lower taxes. Regina’s commercial taxes are 16 per cent lower. Saskatoon taxes are 24 per cent lower.

Swift Current taxes are 12 per cent higher than the Friendly City with Estevan taxes a mere two per cent more. Weyburn commercial taxes are 15 per cent less. Yorkton, another major competitor for business, set taxes 30 per cent higher than Moose Jaw while Prince Albert taxes are 52 per cent more.

North Battleford taxes are 13 per cent higher.

In residential taxes, Moose Jaw shows little difference with major competitors for investment.

The taxation data is from 2017.

This year Moose Jaw taxpayers face a possible 4.05 per cent increase. Proposed and/or approved increases for the seven cities trying to attract the same investment as Moose Jaw range from one per cent to 13 per cent.

Swift Current is highest at 13 per cent. Six per cent funds a five-year plan to make the city debt free.

The lowest are Estevan, one per cent; Prince Albert, two per cent; Weyburn, 2.5 per cent; and North Battleford, three per cent.

Regina plans 4.8 per cent with Saskatoon at 4.9 per cent.

Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon were hit harder by lost funding when the provincial government ended grants in lieu of property taxes by crown corporations.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net