'I am a little anxious': Winnipeggers weigh in on proposed 5.95 per cent property tax hike

Winnipeggers are mulling over a nearly six per cent property tax hike.

Winnipeggers are mulling over a nearly six per cent property tax hike.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city needs the money, but the proposed increase is nearly double what he promised during his campaign.

“It’s a huge increase. I am a little anxious about what that means for us going forward,” said Shelley Demski, who owns a house in the city.

The proposed 2025 budget has the property tax increase pegged at 5.95 per cent.

Gillingham said he knows he’s broken an election promise to keep the increase at 3.5 per cent.

“I would rather do what I believe the citizens of Winnipeg need for the future than protect myself and others from public criticism,” Gillingham said Wednesday.

Property tax jumps aren’t isolated to Winnipeg. Many major Canadian cities are doing the same to pay for growing populations and crumbling infrastructure.