Manitoba news: property managers say rebate changes could lead to higher costs [Video]

WINNIPEG –

The Manitoba government faced concerns Wednesday that its new budget, delivered a day earlier, could be a financial hit to landlords and delay the construction of several schools.

The Professional Property Managers Association said the government’s plan to replace education tax rebates for residential and commercial properties with credits available only to homeowners will hurt landlords and tenants.

“If the government takes away the (rebate), we will have to raise rent to cover this significant increase in our operating expenses,” Avrom Charach, spokesperson for the association, wrote in an email. Charach added that he was looking for more information on the government’s plan.

A group that represents commercial landlords expressed similar concerns.

“It appears that commercial properties — office buildings, retail, light industrial in particular — are being asked to pay more,” said Tom Thiessen, executive director with the Building Owners and Managers Association.

The budget makes sweeping changes to the province’s education property tax. It eliminates, as of …