Village Of Sayward Residents Face 42% Tax Increase With Dysfunctional Council

The Village of Sayward is preparing for a steep 42% increase in property taxes under its draft 2026–2030 financial plan — a dramatic shift for a community of fewer than 400 residents and one that underscores the severity of its financial challenges. The plan is expected to be finalized in April, but the scale of the proposed increase has already sparked concern, debate, and renewed scrutiny of the village’s governance.

At a Feb. 17 committee meeting, village CPA Jeannie Bradburne walked council through the draft budget and laid out the structural issues that have brought Sayward to this point. For years, she explained, the village’s expenditures have consistently exceeded its revenues. Rather than raising taxes or cutting services earlier, the village relied heavily on reserve funds to cover annual shortfalls. Those reserves, once a buffer against financial instability, are now nearly depleted.

With no meaningful surplus left to draw from, Bradburne said the village has reached a legal and practical limit: the only remaining tool to balance the budget is a substantial increase in property taxes. Even after implementing cost-saving measures — including cancelling programs and closing the Kelsey Recreation Centre, a facility that once served as a community hub — the gap between what the village spends and what it brings in remains significant.

The first draft of the budget projected a nearly 50% tax increase, but subsequent adjustments and recalculations brought the figure down to approximately 42%. For the average household, that means an annual increase of about $725, or roughly $60 per month. Sewer and water fees are also slated to rise, while solid waste fees will remain unchanged. Taken together, the total estimated monthly impact for residents is expected to be around $72.

The financial discussion quickly intersected with ongoing political tensions. During the meeting, Councillor Scott Burchett criticized the village’s high legal expenses in 2025, noting that a large portion of those costs stemmed from litigation involving himself and Councillor Sue Poulsen. The village is reportedly considering censure and potential legal action against the two councillors, and has applied to the province to reduce the required council quorum from three members to two — a move intended to ensure council can continue functioning despite persistent conflict and absences.

Sayward’s council has been mired in turmoil since the last municipal election. Two councillors resigned in 2024, citing dysfunction and an inability to work effectively within the current political climate. Their departures left the remaining council members struggling to maintain quorum and make decisions, further complicating efforts to address the village’s financial problems.

At the Feb. 17 meeting, Councillor Debbie Coates urged her colleagues to undertake a detailed, line-by-line review of the budget in search of additional savings. She argued that residents deserve assurance that every possible cost-saving measure has been explored before council approves such a significant tax increase. Village CAO Andrew Young added that declining provincial grants, rising operational costs, and long-term structural challenges have all contributed to Sayward’s precarious fiscal position.

The village’s difficulties have not gone unnoticed by residents. Some, frustrated by both the financial strain and the ongoing governance issues, have launched the Sayward Taxpayers Alliance, and a petition calling for the dissolution of the Village of Sayward and its integration into the Strathcona Regional District. Supporters of the petition argue that joining the regional district could provide a broader tax base, more stable service delivery, and relief from the political turmoil that has plagued the village.

Sayward Taxpayers Alliance Logo

Council is expected to reconvene in March to continue budget deliberations and explore whether the proposed tax increase can be reduced before the financial plan is finalized. For now, Sayward faces a pivotal moment — one that will shape not only its finances but also its future as an independent municipality.

Request For Quotations – Sayward Fire Hall #1 Renovation

The Village of Sayward is seeking quotations from qualified vendors to complete FireSmart renovation work at Firehall #1, located at 620 Kelsey Way, Sayward, British Columbia.

Quotations must be clearly labeled “Firehall #1 – FireSmart Renovations” and submitted to:

Village of Sayward PO Box 29 652‑A H’Kusam Way Sayward, BC V0P 1R0

The submission deadline is 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, February 27, 2026.

All pricing must be provided in Canadian dollars, with applicable taxes listed separately. Quoted prices must remain valid for at least 120 days from the closing date.

Vendors are solely responsible for ensuring their quotation is received by the Village of Sayward before the deadline.

Evaluation Criteria Quotations will be assessed based on: a) Ability to meet the timelines and requirements outlined in this RFQ b) Relevant experience and qualifications c) Lowest overall cost to the Village of Sayward

Inquiries All questions regarding this RFQ should be directed to: Shaun Koopman Phone: 250‑830‑6702 Email: skoopman@srd.ca

Any addenda issued for this RFQ will be posted on the Village of Sayward website and the BC Bid website. Verbal communications are not binding unless confirmed through written addenda.

Canadian’s Face Another Tax Hike With Alcohol Tax Set To Increase On April 1st

The federal government has confirmed that alcohol excise taxes will rise again on April 1, 2026, as part of the automatic annual increase applied to beer, wine, and spirits.

This built‑in adjustment — commonly known as the alcohol escalator tax — raises excise duties each year based on inflation, without requiring a separate vote in Parliament. The upcoming increase amounts to two per cent, a change industry estimates suggest will generate roughly $41 million in additional federal revenue for 2026–27.

First introduced in the 2017 federal budget, the escalator mechanism ties alcohol taxes to the Consumer Price Index. Since then, industry data indicates these automatic hikes have added about $1.6 billion to federal excise revenues.

Reaction to the latest increase is mixed. Brewers, distillers, and hospitality groups have long warned that repeated tax hikes compound pressures on producers already dealing with rising input costs, tariffs, and economic uncertainty. Some say ongoing increases could influence pricing and production decisions.

Observers also note that excise duties are only one component of alcohol pricing in Canada, with provincial markups and retail rules playing a major role. Because the federal increase is automatic, it continues to fuel debate over whether annual tax changes should require parliamentary approval.

The scheduled hike comes at a time when Canadians are already facing significant cost‑of‑living pressures, with rising prices across many sectors of the economy.

Conservative Member Of Parliament Declines Upcoming Automatic Pay Raise

A federal Conservative member of Parliament says he will not accept his scheduled annual pay increase, citing concerns about affordability and the economic pressures facing many Canadians.

Mike Dawson, the MP for Miramichi—Grand Lake, has written to the clerk of the House of Commons requesting that his salary be frozen ahead of an automatic adjustment set to take effect in April. Under current legislation, MP salaries rise each year according to a formula tied to private‑sector wage settlements, which this year amounts to an estimated increase of about $8,000 on top of the roughly $210,000 base salary.

In a letter shared publicly, Dawson said he could not “in good conscience accept a wage increase” at a time when Canadians are struggling with rising costs for essentials such as food and housing. He described the upcoming raise as “distasteful” given the financial strain many households are experiencing.

His stance has drawn attention within the Conservative caucus. Reports indicate that at a recent caucus meeting, party whip Chris Warkentin addressed the issue, noting that the annual pay adjustments are mandated by law and cannot be declined outright. Some MPs reportedly expressed discomfort with the situation, and Dawson attempted to explain his position before leaving the meeting following comments from colleagues.

The Parliament of Canada Act sets out the pay‑increase formula, meaning MPs who wish to forgo the raise must do so through other means — such as donating the additional amount — since the adjustment is applied automatically.

Dawson’s decision has been noted by advocacy groups focused on government spending, some of which have praised the move as a symbolic gesture of restraint. At the same time, political observers are watching how the discussion around elected officials’ compensation intersects with broader public concerns about inflation, wage growth, and economic affordability.

We’ve reached out to North Island MP Aaron Gunn asking if he will join his colleague in refusing the automatic pay raise. We will update once we hear back from his office. If you want to contact Mr. Gunn to follow up on this question, his contact information is below.

Aaron Gunn

http://aarongunnmp.ca/

Campell River Office 250-434-0300

Powell River Office 604-764-9061

Ottawa Office 613-992-2503

Community Radon Testing Shows Low Risk Across Strathcona Regional District

Results from a regional radon testing initiative in the Strathcona Regional District show that most participating homes recorded low indoor radon levels, a positive finding given the gas’s link to long‑term lung cancer risk. Even so, health officials are encouraging residents to continue testing regularly to ensure their homes remain safe.

During the winter of 2024–2025, the Strathcona Regional District partnered with the national Take Action on Radon campaign through the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge. Volunteers from communities including Campbell River, Oyster River, Tahsis, and Zeballos placed long‑term test kits in their homes to measure radon concentrations over several months.

Of the 117 homes tested, 96 per cent recorded radon levels below 100 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³), well under Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³. A small number of homes showed elevated readings: about 2 per cent fell between 100 and 200 Bq/m³, and roughly 2 per cent exceeded the national guideline, with the highest result measuring around 214 Bq/m³.

Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock. It can seep into buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations, accumulating indoors at levels that pose health risks over time. Health Canada identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and the leading cause among non‑smokers.

While the Strathcona results are reassuring, officials emphasize that radon levels can vary widely from one building to the next — even between neighbouring homes. Soil conditions, weather patterns, and how tightly a home is sealed all influence indoor concentrations. Because of this variability, testing remains the only reliable way for homeowners to understand their exposure.

Local leaders are urging residents to maintain awareness and test their homes every three to five years, or after major renovations that affect a building’s structure or ventilation. Long‑term tests, typically conducted over the winter when homes are sealed and radon levels tend to be higher, provide the most accurate picture of average exposure.

For households that discover elevated levels, effective mitigation options are available. Certified radon professionals can install systems that vent the gas safely outdoors, often reducing concentrations significantly. Although costs vary, experts agree that mitigation can greatly reduce long‑term health risks.

Information on radon testing and how to obtain test kits is available through the Strathcona Regional District and Health Canada, and homeowners can find additional resources online to help protect their families from this often‑overlooked indoor hazard.

Almost All Federal Executives Received Bonuses Despite Mixed Performance Results

Nearly all senior federal executives received taxpayer‑funded bonuses last year, even though government departments achieved just over half of their own performance targets, according to newly released federal data.

Access‑to‑information records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation show that about 98 per cent of federal executives were awarded bonuses or performance pay in the 2024–25 fiscal year, amounting to roughly $201 million.

Departments and agencies evaluate their performance using targets laid out in their annual plans. In the same year that bonuses were distributed almost universally, government figures indicate that departments collectively met only about 54 per cent of those targets.

The bonus system includes a range of incentive payments — such as performance awards, “at‑risk” pay, and other allowances — intended to reward executives for meeting or exceeding objectives. Critics argue that these payments are being handed out broadly even when organizational goals fall short.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s federal director said the high rate of bonuses raises questions about how performance is being measured and rewarded, noting that such payments are supposed to recognize strong results.

Records also indicate that executive bonuses are part of a long‑standing pattern of substantial compensation for senior public servants. Over the past decade, federal bonus payments — including performance‑linked pay — have totaled billions of dollars, even as some public services face staffing shortages and operational pressures.

Separate federal data from a Treasury Board report shows that performance pay has become standard across the core public service, with nearly all executives receiving some form of variable compensation in recent years. This reflects a system in which portions of executive pay are tied to both individual and organizational outcomes.

Supporters of performance‑based pay argue that it helps attract and retain skilled leaders and aligns compensation with responsibility. They also note that performance targets for complex programs can be affected by factors outside an executive’s direct control.

Still, the widespread distribution of bonuses has drawn public scrutiny at a time when many Canadians are concerned about government spending and service delivery. Some analysts say the situation underscores the need to reassess how performance outcomes are defined and measured, and whether the current bonus framework effectively drives improvements in public service results.