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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Costco seeks to build new store in RM of West St. Paul
Costco has its eye on West St. Paul. The global big box retailer is seeking to build a nearly 162,000-square-foot store just outside Winnipeg's northern boundary. If approved, the site will mark Costco's fifth Manitoba hub. It's proposing 1,070 parking stalls and a seasonal outdoor garden centre. The warehouse — covering 71 and 81 Meadowlands Dr. — would include an eatery and auto service station. 'I think it is a good location,' said Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), whose riding neighbours the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul. 'It would be nice if it was in the city of Winnipeg for the tax revenue, but regardless, I still think this is a good location.' Undeveloped multi-family and commercial space lies near the roughly 21 acres Costco has circled. The Meadowlands Drive parcel is inside the Perimeter Highway, at the road's southwest intersection with Main Street. 'Getting people in and out of that area, that's a positive aspect,' Browaty said. Both the municipality and northwest Winnipeg have growing populations, he noted. Costco tapped WSP Canada to represent it during its application process. Its proposal has circulated to the municipal and provincial governments. The RM is holding a public hearing on the matter on June 12. Costco aims to decrease the number of required loading spaces on the property from seven to four, an application notice reads. West St. Paul has 'no comment or concerns' regarding the change, per a memo from Pam Elias, the municipality's director of planning and economic development. Costco didn't respond to questions by print deadline. As a rule, the corporation doesn't comment on new locations until they're almost open. Shovels have hit the ground on a Costco at 4077 Portage Ave. In July 2024, the City of Winnipeg issued Costco a permit to build a 166,894-sq.-ft. store. Winnipeg has three operational Costcos: on Regent Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard and St. James Street. There are rumblings the St. James location will transition to a Costco business centre, Browaty said. 'Having four regular centres plus a business centre, I think, probably is appropriate for Winnipeg,' he added. The current locales are 'jam-packed,' noted shopper Aaron Safioles. He lives in North Kildonan and travels to Regent during his Costco excursions. A West St. Paul spot — maybe four kilometres away from his place — would be welcome, he said. 'It's going to … spread out shopping,' Safioles added, mentioning the congestion around urban Costcos. 'They're ridiculous to get in and out to, even in the middle of the day on like a Tuesday.' Winnipeg Transit doesn't reach West St. Paul. However, most Costco patrons likely don't haul their purchases home on a bus, Browaty said. 'It might've been a desirable feature for … employees that work at Costco to potentially use transit,' he added. Costco's net sales in 2024 totalled US$249.6 billion. Its net income was US$7.4 billion. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Unregistered properties behind confusion over missing homeowners rebate on city tax bills
After a promised school tax credit didn't show up on some city property tax bills this year, the provincial government is laying out options for people to claim the money. The missing Manitoba Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit on some Winnipeggers' bills — which were mailed out May 8 — sparked confusion and complaints. Many appeared unaware that new homeowners must officially register their home with the city as a principal residence to get the credit, as must anyone not previously registered. Those who didn't register did not receive the credit, which deducts $1,500 from most bills. Those who missed out were initially told they could claim it on their income taxes next year. On Wednesday evening, a provincial spokesperson told the Free Press the Manitoba government has now directed the city to let the money flow sooner. 'We will ensure anyone who should get the credit, gets the money they are entitled to,' the spokesperson said in an email. A bulletin sent to the city notes the provincial government is extending the time frame for principal residence owners in the city to declare they are eligible for the credit in order to receive it this year. If the credit doesn't appear on a property tax bill, the owners have until Nov. 15 to declare the property to be a principal residence, the memo notes. Affected homeowners who make monthly tax payments would then receive payment adjustments or a cheque to account for the credit, while those who pay annually would receive a cheque or a credit. 'A notice to potentially impacted property owners will be sent by the City of Winnipeg and questions can be directed to the City of Winnipeg's Assessment and Taxation Department,' the memo states. On Wednesday morning, Winnipeg city council's finance chairman said initial feedback indicated thousands of Winnipeggers didn't understand what was required to get the rebate on their initial bill. Coun. Jeff Browaty said the city and province were working to ensure refunds and/or bill adjustments would be offered, noting some Winnipeggers need the money even more now, amid rising prices. '(It) is a fair amount of money, considering this replaces the (education tax) credit that was there last year…. Getting the $1,500 now (would help),' said Browaty (North Kildonan). In an email, a provincial spokesperson said Winnipeg and Brandon are the only cities that administer their own taxes, while the province handles taxation for other municipalities. The statement said Brandon offered multiple proactive notices of the registration requirement. Browaty said the province is responsible for ensuring homeowners know how to apply for the rebate. 'It's their credit. They should be the ones who communicate how you're eligible for it,' he said. To help sort through the confusion, the Free Press sought answers Wednesday to spell out how education tax rebates have changed and why some people have yet to receive the latest one, including the following key questions: A: Municipal property taxes and school division taxes are noted in separate charges on the same tax bill. The city is required to collect taxes on behalf of school divisions but the municipality neither sets the rate nor keeps the revenue. To calculate municipal tax, the assessed value of a home is multiplied by a taxable portion, which the province currently has set at 45 per cent for residences. That 'portioned value' is then multiplied by the sum of a mill rate divided by 1,000. The same process applies to school division taxes, which have separate mill rates set by each school division. A: For the 2025 tax year, a former 50 per cent school tax rebate has been eliminated for residential properties. A separate education property tax credit, set at up to $350 in 2024, was replaced with the new Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, which will rise 'to a maximum of $1,500,' according to the Manitoba Finance website. The new rebate applies to principal residences only, not rental properties, secondary homes/cottages or commercial properties. The website notes the actual credit provided 'is the lesser of $1,500 and the gross school taxes on your principal residence.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Those who buy a home must officially register it as their principal residence with their municipality to get the credit, as must anyone who hasn't registered in the past. Those who didn't register did not receive the credit on their recent bill. Those who did should see the credit noted in the school tax portion of the bill. The registration step has been required to qualify for some school tax credits since 2018. A: Initially, residents were told they can apply for a credit to get the rebate when they file income taxes next year. The late-Wednesday update notes they can now skip that wait. Browaty urged all Winnipeggers who have not done so to register their principal residence now at: The city says that form needs to be submitted only once. Browaty said those who didn't get the credit this year may also be missing some past education property tax credits. He urged residents who did not previously register properties as principal residences to check with a tax expert on whether they can claim a $350 rebate for each of 2023 and 2024, as well as $437.50 rebate for 2022. A: Each overall tax levy is affected by an individual home's assessed value, the tax rate applied by the city and a separate tax rate applied by their local school division. In March, a report to Winnipeg city council noted some school divisions imposed significant tax increases this year. For example, the owner of a $371,100 sample home in the Louis Riel School Division was set to pay $316 more in school taxes this year, the report noted. Since each division's rate varies, the tab can be several hundred dollars more in one division than in another, Browaty said. He said homeowners with higher-than-average home values may also pay significant education tax increases, since the 50 per cent education tax rebate has ended. A: In the City of Winnipeg, residents can file an application to the Board of Revision, a quasi-judicial body, to have the assessed value of their home revised but cannot appeal the tax bill itself. Assessment review applications to alter this year's tax bill were due by July 2, 2024. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Board of revision decisions on assessed value can be appealed to the Manitoba Municipal Board within 21 days of the board's decision. Those questioning whether a property should be taxed can appeal board decisions to the Court of King's Bench. A: Browaty said his North Kildonan ward residents are welcome to send questions to him directly. City of Winnipeg tax bills note those with school tax credit questions can call 1-866-626-4862 or visit X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NDP responsible for some Winnipeggers' property tax bill ‘shock,' Tory finance critic charges
Winnipeggers 'are in for a shock' when they open their property tax bills, Progressive Conservative finance critic Lauren Stone warned in the legislature Thursday. Stone (Midland) shared a letter from Winnipeg city council finance chair Jeff Browaty saying that, of the 240,000 property owners receiving bills this week, about 93,000 will benefit from the introduction of the province's $1,500 Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit. However, many more — about 132,000 — are on track to pay more, since the NDP scrapped the previous Tory government's 50 per cent education property tax rebate, the letter said. 'We know our approach is going to save 80 per cent of Manitobans more money than under the previous government's approach,' Finance Minister Adrien Sala told Stone during question period. In 2024, the NDP announced that starting this year, the school tax rebate and education property tax credit would be replaced by the new Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit of up to $1,500 on principal residences. The new model would provide relief for more households than the rebate and tax credit, effectively eliminating education property taxes for homes with assessed values of approximately $285,000 and below, Premier Wab Kinew said at the time. 'While this minister irresponsibly eliminated the 50 per cent education property tax rebate, Winnipeg families are going to be paying more as a result,' Stone said. Browaty, the city finance chair, said the numbers he provided to Stone come from the city assessor and include all categories of properties, not just owner-occupied homes. They include commercial and industrial properties that were receiving a 10 per cent credit under the previous PC rebate system and multi-family properties and non-owner-occupied homes that received a 50 per cent rebate. Switching to the tax credit and getting rid of rebates for commercial properties was expected to save the province $148 million. Sala said the province is increasing the $1,500 homeowners' affordability tax credit next year to $1,600 'to save Manitobans more money.' 'That's just one thing to make life more affordable,' he said, pointing to the permanent 10 per cent fuel tax cut and hydro rate freeze that the NDP government brought in this year. Stone called the $100 homeowners tax credit increase 'window dressing.' School divisions across Winnipeg are hiking property taxes between 10.4 per cent and 18.4 per cent, and the city is increasing property taxes by 5.95 per cent, Browaty noted in his letter. It's difficult for municipalities to communicate the changes to residents, as most people only look at the total tax bill, he wrote. Stone accused the NDP of 'sloppy fiscal planning.' 'As we've seen, property values are continuing to increase and Manitobans and Winnipeggers are paying the price,' she said. 'It did not account for the general assessment that took place this year or for increasing property values that we continue to see.' She said there are seniors on fixed incomes who've been in their homes for a long time who are seeing their property values and education taxes soar and, now, so will their tax bills. Stone said the province should revert to the PC system that offered 50 per cent education property tax rebates and move towards eliminating education taxes on properties altogether. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
13-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Winnipeg councillor cancels U.S. trip to 'send a message' about trade war
A Winnipeg city councillor is scrapping a planned trip to the U.S. for spring break, while others say they plan to go through with previously scheduled trips. Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) says she and her husband were supposed to visit Arizona, but she's now looking at Canadian destinations due to the ongoing trade war. "We want to send a message to the federal government in the U.S. and also a message to U.S. citizens to really push their governments that this is not how you treat friends, this is not how you treat allies, and this is not how you treat people that are your neighbours," Gilroy said. The imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports to the United States and repeated calls from President Donald Trump to make Canada the 51st state have sparked a backlash among many Canadian travellers. Data released by Statistics Canada on Monday shows that the number of return trips among Canadians travelling by car to the U.S. declined significantly in February, down 23 per cent compared with a year earlier. Gilroy encouraged others to follow her example and avoid travelling to the U.S. "I know that lots of people are trying to buy Canadian and buy local. I think that if we send this message, I'm loud and clear, people will hear it." Other councillors told CBC News they will go through with previously scheduled trips during the upcoming spring break. Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) has non-refundable tickets to Nashville to attend a friend's wedding, but he says he won't be making any other trips south of the border for the foreseeable future. Browaty says he has been travelling to the U.S. since he was a child, often going to Fargo, N.D. with his parents on shopping trips. "But with the combination of both, the political hostilities and the poor Canadian dollar, that is certainly not where we're looking at going these days," Browaty said. "If anything, you know, looking at Labour Day weekend, maybe it's time to go hit up Regina and hit the Labour Day classic." Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) is going to a business conference in Dallas, Texas the same week that Browaty is flying down to Nashville, but he doesn't expect to make any personal trips to U.S. anytime soon. During Trump's first term in office, "I didn't go to the states at all," Chambers said. "And I don't plan on any vacations to the states within this next four years." Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas) recently returned from an arm-wrestling competition in Columbus, Ohio. She was struck by the huge difference in the currency exchange rate. An Uber ride that cost $34.62 US came to $51.36 on her Canadian credit card. Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) has relatives who live in the U.S., and said her son plans to attend a leadership conference in New Jersey. She says despite the current tensions between the two countries, she's confident the relationship will endure. "You can be concerned, but the ties between Canada and the United States run so much deeper than any one trade agreement," she said. "It's really the partnerships, the centuries we have of the shared history, the family connections and the cultural exchanges. Those are what transcend borders, and those are what strengthens the relationship that we — that many of us, so many of us — have."
