Where Your Taxes Go and Why It Matters That You Know

Whenever I’m door-knocking or at community events, one of the most frequent concerns I hear is: “I pay so much in taxes and I don’t see where it goes.” It’s a valid question and one I want to answer.

Often when there isn’t a traffic jam, a pothole, or visible news headline, it means your taxes are working. That hidden maintenance, proactive renewal, and daily operations is the city doing its job quietly and consistently.

And when there are issues, such as delays in snow clearing, a sidewalk crack waiting for a long time to be filled, or an expansion of a library branch or bus route that didn't go as planned, it doesn't immediately mean that taxes are spent recklessly. It may be a sign of under-funding, or unexpected costs.

How Edmonton's Property Taxes Break Down

In 2025, a typical detached home assessed at around $465,500 would pay approximately $394/month in total property taxes. Of that:

• $296/month (about 75 %) goes to City services

• $98/month (about 25 %) goes to the Government of Alberta for education

Here’s how that $296 is spent monthly on city services:

• $44: Edmonton Police Service (public safety, community policing)

• $30: Transit (buses, LRT, DATS)

• $24: Fire Rescue Services

• $23: Neighbourhood Renewal (roads, sidewalks, streetlights)

• $23: Parks and Roads maintenance

• Smaller amounts for debt repayment, general operations, libraries, and more 

Where to Go for More Information

If you’d like to explore details or manage your tax account:

• Visit Edmonton’s Property Taxes page, which covers tax breakdowns, payment plans, assistance programs, and exemptions.

• Access the Where Your Taxes Go page to see the impact of your taxes in every part of the city.

These tools help translate numbers into real and visible services in our daily lives.

Can the Education Tax Portion Be Removed?

I found that there's a lot of confusion and frustration about how much taxes are collected, with the assumption that it all gets spent on city-related items. However, a portion of the amount is the education property taxes and it is a significant one.

Some residents have suggested that the education portion be removed from the municipal tax bill entirely, collected directly by the province instead. This change, they think, might help clarify that the amount they pay to the City goes solely toward local services.

At present, however, the law requires municipalities to continue collecting this tax on the province’s behalf. If this becomes something that gets raised again, I will certainly explore it further.

My Commitment on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility

When it comes to budgets, I take diligence seriously. I believe in responsible governance and that every tax dollar should deliver value and equity. I support moving toward zero-based budgeting and results-based budgeting, as they could provide a clearer, more transparent reset and community engagement at the start of each cycle. These approaches help challenge assumptions, reduce inefficiencies, and refocus priorities. If I am the councillor who gets appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission, I will also strive to look through the police budget more diligently, as that would be the only time when a city councillor would be able to do so.

I will also actively work on expanding other sources of revenue to avoid over-reliance on property taxes, including:

• Ensuring provincial and federal grants are maximized

• Advocating that shared responsibilities like transit, housing, and policing are funded fairly by all levels of government

• Supporting economic growth so Edmonton’s tax base can expand, easing the pressure on individual ratepayers

My councillor office will ensure residents are informed about upcoming budget deliberations and know when and how to participate. As someone who has attended city council meetings, and lined up to wait for my turn to speak at a public meeting for the four-year budget discussion, it is vital to hear resident's perspectives. Transparency in city finances isn’t just a promise, it’s a standard.

Why This Matters

It’s easy to only notice budget conversations when taxes go up or when there’s a controversy. But responsible fiscal policy means anticipating needs, maintaining services, and preventing crises before they develop.

Your taxes pay for roads, transit, public safety, parks, and neighbourhood renewal, even in quiet years. That is infrastructure lasting decades and services maintaining daily life.

If you have questions about how property tax is calculated, want help with payment plans or exemptions, or would like to share your thoughts ahead of future budgets, I’m here to listen and advocate with transparency.

A city that uses its resources wisely is a city that works for everyone.