City of Powell River Council will send a letter of support for Sunshine Coast Tourism’s (SCT) renewal application to collect the municipal and regional district tax (MRDT), including a proposed increase from two to three per cent.
The letter will be addressed to the provincial ministry of finance. The MRDT is a tax charged to short-term accommodation in designated areas of BC to provide funding for local tourism marketing, programs and projects, according to a city staff report.
At the August 19 committee of the whole meeting, deputy corporate officer Jessica Walls said the matter was referred from the June 19 city council meeting, where SCT requested a letter of support for the renewal application, from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2031.
Walls said the money raised from the taxation goes toward regional tourism and affordable housing initiatives.
“This letter is required for [SCT] to complete the application,” said Walls. “If they are successful, they will be able to collect the tax at a three per cent rate instead of the two per cent that has previously been collected. Tonight, we require council direction.”
Councillor Cindy Elliott said when the matter first came to council, she remembers thinking it would be a good idea if people with concerns would get back to the city.
“Have we had any input from hotel operators or the folks in our community about this decision?” asked Elliott.
Walls said nothing has reached staff.
SCT executive director Annie Wise said the feedback she can share is that as part of the application, SCT is required to secure agreement from a minimum of 51 per cent of all commercial accommodations.
“To date, we’ve received that and then some,” said Wise. “This [letter of support] is the last piece of the puzzle in terms of filing our application.”
Council unanimously passed a motion that council approve the draft letter of support to Sunshine Coast Tourism for its renewal to collect the MRDT in this region from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2031.
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