Hospital Tax Levy

Each year one of the items that appears on taxation notices is a separate tax levy for Nanaimo Regional District Hospital. For many years there was only a minimal increase in this levy. Until the Regional Hospital Board decided to make it a priority to push for badly-needed improvements to our local care facilities - including a cardiac cath lab and new patient tower. Under current legislation, local taxpayers are expected to pay 40% of capital costs of such projects. A significant amount. So our Hospital Board increased its annual levy starting in 2021 in order to accumulate needed reserves for these projects. For the past two years there has been a 28.2% increase over the previous year, and this was the plan again for this year. It is an increase I would support in order to show the provincial government that we are willing to pay our share. However, taxpayer fatigue also has to be considered in this time of financial uncertainty. So last week I made a motion that our 2025 hospital tax levy be set at 21% over the previous year. Still significant, but down from the original 28.2%. I saw this as a compromise position, which can be revisited again next year. After debate, the Board agreed with me and the motion passed. Hopefully this recognizes that we are still serious about wanting new hospital facilities, but also aware of the burden on taxpayers.