The head of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Jason Aebig, says COVID hit local businesses very hard — and all the jobs, incomes and growth they generate. Even still, they will face an increase in property tax and utility rates, in spite of their fragile state and the fact that they will lead the city’s recovery.

That was his reaction after three days and a late Wednesday night of budget deliberations finally coalesced into a property tax increase of 3.86 per cent in 2022 and 3.53 per cent in 2023. Both numbers are higher than what was proposed.

He says it is hard to believe that budget deliberations resulted in higher increases than originally outlined by City Administration.  Aebig also says it’s hard to accept there were no additional savings in Saskatoon’s $1.2 billion budget to offset rate increases this budget cycle, in the light of the toll COVID-19 has taken, and the challenges ahead. Aebig suggests Saskatoon could have stood alone as the most affordable Prairie city to grow a business.