Property owners in Chestermere, Alberta, are looking at a 31 per cent increase in the education portion of their property tax bills for the 2026 budget year. This sharp rise is the result of provincial budget changes and is not an increase to the city’s own budget for local services.
According to Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, this increase is one of the largest seen in Southern Alberta. The Government of Alberta sets these rates, and the city is legally required to collect the money from residents on the province’s behalf.
While Chestermere has often maintained some of the lowest municipal tax rates in the province, this mandatory provincial charge is a cost that local leaders cannot negotiate. Residents may see their total tax bills grow by hundreds of dollars to cover the higher costs for provincial schools.
Reports from a recent Calgary city council emergency budget meeting show the impact of these changes varies across the province, with some cities seeing increases as low as seven per cent. The high jump in Chestermere highlights a growing challenge for the community as provincial requirements drive up the cost of living for homeowners.
