SASKATOON – Saskatchewan may shift more education tax from property owners back to the government, says the minister of education.
Pat Atkinson said the government is “prepared to discuss” removing some of the education tax from local property taxes.
The question came from a bearpit session last week between provincial cabinet ministers and delegates at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities annual meeting.
For years, rural municipalities have said education taxes should not be collected by local governments. But Atkinson said the province can’t afford to pick up the entire cost of education.
“We are not in the position to assume $500 million in property taxes.
“I can’t see that we will remove it shortly and turn it over to the provincial taxpayer.”
Premier Roy Romanow added the government plans to shift some of the cost back to the government once it can afford it.
