Arguments for feds not paying full PILT “bunch of crap” says Copeland

The City of Cold Lake’s long standing legal fight with the federal government for Payment in lieu of Taxes (PILT) elicited a strong message from Mayor Craig Copeland.

Since 2012, the City has been fighting, saying they are being shorted $1.2 million per year in property taxes from the feds, totaling approximately $14.8 million (exclusive of penalties and fees) in PILT payments owed since 2013.

The Federal Government continues to argue that CFB Cold Lake should be assessed as if it is an un-serviced, remote property.

When asked on The Morning After about dollars being short from the federal government, Copeland said

“This is a long file, but it needs to be addressed,” said Copeland. 

“It’s unfortunate. The province is doing it too. Don’t kid yourself. So when they get their assessment on their property, say it’s worth a hundred dollars, they’re making a decision not to pay the full hundred. And it’s unfortunate that both provincial governments and the federal governments don’t want to pay their fair share. Because what happens is the burden then falls on the other taxpayers, the business community, the residential community. It’s happening everywhere across Canada.” 

When asked if the argument that 4 Wing provides substantially to the local economy, Copeland said that reasoning is “a bunch of crap.”

“That’s a bunch of crap. Every business in Cold Lake could say that too. Everybody has to be treated the same. Everybody’s equal. Both governments have been doing it for years, and the federal government, like I said, needs to step up. They need to step up. And if you’re paying a hundred dollars for something, don’t all of a sudden at the end of the year say, well, you know, we’re only gonna pay ninety. And they get away with it. They need to change the legislation, but that hasn’t happened.”

WATCH: Discussion begins at (6:33).