City committee to mull daycare tax exemption

Mayor, councillors will also consider relief for local non-profit organizations

A potential tax exemption for daycares and community non-profits is among the topics up for discussion Wednesday when councillors and the mayor meet as executive committee.

Non-profit childcare centres are partially tax exempt now, but this motion would be an exemption for “2021 and 2022 equal to 40 per cent of the taxes,” according to the meeting agenda.

“COVID-19 has shone a light on the importance of childcare across the country,” says a city administration report for the committee.

In 2019, the tax break cost the city $89,148 in total and $108,337 in 2020.

The report makes mention of imminent federal programs to assist with childcare, which was mentioned in the recent throne speech. But when that funding is available and what that funding looks like is still unclear.

“It is unknown at this time what the program will entail and what level of fiscal support from the federal, and/or provincial, government will be available,” the administration report said.

The report mentions that in the interim, granting this exemption would assist daycares in the city during this time of financial uncertainty.

To that end, daycare centres are eligible for the Regina Economic Recovery Grant, which will provide up to $25,000 grants for businesses navigating the pandemic.

As for non-profits in the city, so far 21 organizations have applied for property tax exemption under the Community Non-profit Tax Exemption Policy.

Administration recommends non-profits like Regina Public Library branches, or the Royal Canadian Legion Regina Branch 001, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and Carmichael Outreach Inc., among others, be given a tax exemption in the coming year.

The financial impact of these exemptions will work out to approximately $1,170,262, according to the report.

Both these reports will be up for a final vote at the Dec. 16 city council meeting.

Also on the agenda during Wednesday's executive committee meeting are funding for the Saskatchewan Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) and its budget ask for 2021-22.

In its budget document, the PCC requests a status quo $2.119 million for operations from the city, the same sought in the previous budget.

The PCC'S ask includes plans to renovate parts of Candy Cane Park to make the playground more accessible. That would mean wheelchair accessible playground equipment and sensory equipment. This would cost an estimated $150,000.

Another capital project in the budget is a “green bike/running lane on Wascana Drive,” which will cost an estimated $450,000.

Executive committee will be held at 9 a.m. and will be live streamed by Access 7.