“This is the latest example of NDP backroom deals and financial mismanagement landing squarely on the backs of ordinary British Columbians.”
– Peter Milobar, Opposition Critic for Finance, MLA for Kamloops Centre
VICTORIA, B.C.: Conservative MLA Peter Milobar, Opposition Critic for Finance and MLA for Kamloops Centre, is drawing attention to the latest NDP backroom deal that will leave rural and urban communities across BC footing the bill for multimillion-dollar property tax breaks handed to billion-dollar pipeline companies.
BC Assessment, operating under NDP Finance Minister Brenda Bailey, is reducing the assessed values of pipelines across British Columbia. This will cut corporate property taxes for major pipeline operators while shifting tax burdens onto municipalities.
MLA Milobar said, “This is the latest example of NDP backroom deals and financial mismanagement landing squarely on the backs of ordinary British Columbians.
“This is not just a rural issue. Cities like North Vancouver, Burnaby and Kamloops already face rising costs and service pressures — now they will be forced to make up for a tax break negotiated behind closed doors with billion-dollar corporations.”
Mayors and councillors stress that they were not consulted about the changes by the NDP government, despite the assessment review process having started almost a decade prior.
Municipalities could be forced to raise taxes by double-digits to maintain services.
Conservative MLA Tony Luck, Critic for Municipal Affairs and MLA for Fraser-Nicola, added, “Municipalities cannot run deficits in BC. Every rural and urban community that has pipelines will be forced to replace lost revenue by raising taxes elsewhere.”
“As families and small businesses face rising taxes across every rate class, the NDP cut a backroom deal with billion-dollar pipeline companies. This comes at the expense of local businesses and will impact the already-struggling forestry sector in BC.
“At a time when US tariffs and NDP ideological bureaucracy are decimating forestry, causing layoffs and unprecedented mill closures, sawmills and pulp mills are likely to be the first targets for rural municipalities under pressure to keep the lights on.”
Today, Conservatives introduced the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, to update existing rules on rate caps and allow municipalities to accommodate revenue changes if the NDP refuse to halt the property devaluation of pipelines.
Conservatives demand full transparency from NDP Finance Minister Brenda Bailey and an immediate halt to any assessment changes until communities are consulted.
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Media Contact:
Robert Eales, Communications Officer
Robert.Eales@leg.bc.ca
+1 (778) 967-2818
