Covid-19 Relief Measures

Prince Albert City Council has unanimously approved further relief measures that will ease the financial pressures on residents and businesses experiencing job losses or business closures as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to steps already taken, the City of Prince Albert will also moving ahead with further action on utility bills and property taxes.

“The recent public health measures to shut down schools, public facilities, events and business in an effort to contain the COVID-19 virus has had a widespread impact on our community,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “We were able to take quick action in a number of areas including suspending water-shut offs for accounts in arrears, but there was a consensus among City Council that we could do more.”

Covid-response Property Tax Deferral Program

Property owners that have suffered serious financial hardship due to COVID-19 as a result of employment income interruption or business impact will be able to establish that they qualify under City Council’s Covid-response tax deferral program to have their tax payment deadline moved to September 30, 2020.  Impacted taxpayers must submit to the City by no later than June 15, 2020 at 4:00p.m a signed form establishing that they meet the criteria for property tax deferral.  Declaration forms will be available on the City’s website and will be able to be submitted electronically. For those who do not meet the criteria of serious financial impact or that do not apply, the tax deadline will remain at June 30, 2020.

Utility Bill Penalties

The City will continue to bill for utility services as normal, however, effective April 1, 2020, the City will cease charging penalties on water accounts in arrears until September 30, 2020. A reminder letter indicating a past due account will still be mailed. Prior to the account approaching the three month mark, the property will be provided with notice to encourage the account holder to contact the water department to arrange for a payment plan.  

Actions already taken

-          Ceasing issuing parking tickets for expired metres or timed limitations in residential areas

-          Ceasing water shut offs for accounts in arrears

-          Allowing for March Transit passes to be valid for April

-          Ceasing towing vehicles for unpaid parking violations

Updates will continue to be provided at www.citypa.ca/covid19 and on the applicable pages on the City’s website.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Mayor Greg Dionne
(306) 953-4300