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<\/p>\nIn the wake of the recently-tabled provincial budget, Calgary businesses are preparing for a sharp increase in property taxes this year.<\/p>\n
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The budget included an increase to the education property tax<\/a> requisition for municipalities, expected to generate $3.6 billion across the province in 2026.<\/p>\n The requisition from Calgary is set at $1.2 billion, an increase of $200 million from last year.<\/p>\n For the median non-residential property in Calgary, the move is expected to cost an additional $1,816 this year.<\/p>\n When combined with Calgary city council\u2019s 1.6-per cent property tax increase included in its budget, the typical local business could expect to pay nearly $3,000 more on their bills in 2026.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tA chart showing the expected combined property tax increase for various Calgary property types in 2026.\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tGlobal News\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s terrifying with the cost of everything else right now,\u201d said Arlen Smith, who is an operating partner of the Palomino Smokehouse in downtown Calgary.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t expect to get rich, but it\u2019d be nice to not worry on a busy month that we\u2019re going to be in the red.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tGet breaking National news<\/p>\n For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.<\/p>\n Although the establishment prepares for increases in property taxes annually, Smith said, his goal is to not raise prices out of concern a hike could \u201ccost people out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to at least break even,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can\u2019t run a deficit. I\u2019d love to be able to run a $9 billion deficit but that\u2019s not in the cards for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore on Money The Palomino served as a backdrop Thursday for a press conference for Alberta\u2019s Opposition NDP to respond to the provincial budget and its impact on local property owners and businesses.<\/p>\n \u201cThis budget makes life more expensive,\u201d NDP leader Naheed Nenshi told reporters. \u201cIt makes every one of us pay more.\u201d<\/p>\n Nenshi accused the provincial government of squandering record oil production and royalties in a budget that projects a $9.4-billion deficit.<\/p>\n The former mayor of Calgary also took issue with the increase to the education property tax in Calgary, which has increased 58.6 per cent over the last four provincial budgets.<\/p>\n In comparison, the education property tax requisition in Edmonton is $639 million in 2026.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n According to the City of Edmonton, the education property tax is expected to add $11 per every $100,000 in assessed value for non-residential properties, while city council\u2019s 6.9 per cent property tax increase equates to an additional $164 per $100,000 of value for those properties.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were hoping that people would blame the mayor and blame city council when they get their property tax bill,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the mayor is doing a great job of making sure people know exactly who\u2019s behind that tax increase.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\tTrending Now\n\t<\/p>\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767930311_275_national.jpg\")
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