Why Whistler Is Increasing Property Taxes On Tourism Businesses

Whistler, British Columbia — In order to find new funding for tourism initiatives, property tax rates are set to go up for some businesses in Whistler.

CBC News reports that the Whistler Council voted earlier this week in favor of increasing property taxes (known locally as the mill rate). The property tax rate for Class 8 properties, which are tourism facilities, is set to increase from 10 to 20 times the base rate. This tax increase would create $3.166 million CAD in new tax revenue from large tourist businesses, such as Vail Resorts and Fairmont (which runs a golf course). It would increase tourist operators’ contribution to the property tax totals from 3 to 5%. This will also allow them to reduce property taxes for smaller businesses by up to $1.6 million CAD annually.

It should be noted that this isn’t happening because of Vail Resorts, but rather because it’s an effort pushed by the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

The reasoning behind this decision is to relieve small businesses of their tax burden, while also gaining new funding from companies that can afford the new costs.

“We want to grow tourism to British Columbia, and we feel like it’s incredibly important to find ways that tourism funds that growth… A lot of those communities have different tools to fund tourism, things like sales tax that tourists will pay while they’re in the resort. Those aren’t tools that we have,” said Mayor Jack Crompton.

Vail Resorts issued the following statement to the CBC:

“As a trusted resort partner, we are committed to collaborating on practical solutions that prioritize community needs and position the Resort Municipality of Whistler for long-term success.”

Image/Video Credits: Damian Kravchuk, CBC British Columbia, Whistler Blackcomb

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