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Why Your Strathcona Taxes Went Up and What We Can Do

  • Writer: Tracey Giroux
    Tracey Giroux
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read

Picture this: You’re out for a walk or bike ride on familiar Strathcona County paths and trails, noticing spots that need more upkeep than before. Or maybe your kids’ rec programs feel a bit smaller, with fewer spots for summer camps or community events. These aren’t just small frustrations—they’re signs your local government is stretched thin, trying to keep up with a growing community on shrinking provincial support. As someone who’s served 17 years advancing community needs, I’ve seen this squeeze firsthand.


The Numbers Hit Home


Back in 2009, Alberta gave municipalities about $635 per person to run essential services. Fast forward to 2023, and that’s down to $327 per person after inflation—a 50% drop that leaves councils scrambling. In Strathcona County’s just-approved 2026 budget, this played out directly: a 4.88% tax hike to hold the line on snow clearing, trail maintenance, and public safety—no major cuts, but no extra breathing room either.


The Tough Choices Families Feel


Every budget season, local leaders face the same bind:


•       Cut services: Delay trail repairs, trim community events, or slow emergency responses—hits that echo in every neighborhood.


•       Raise taxes: The path Strathcona chose to keep lights on, but it pinches family wallets already squeezed by inflation.


You’ve seen it: longer waits for transit, parks needing TLC, or programs your kids love getting pared back. This isn’t mismanagement—it’s math, forced by years of provincial downloading more duties without the dollars to match.


A Path Forward for Stronger Communities


Strathcona held steady this time, trimming an initial 5.18% tax proposal through smart savings. But it’s not sustainable. That’s why ABmunis launched Property Taxes Reimagined: Fair Funding for Strong Communities—a clear explainer on fixing this broken model, with real solutions for fairer provincial support.


 
 
 

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