Edmonton offers backup payment options for 2025 property taxes if Canada Post goes on strike

Edmonton property owners are reminded to pay their 2025 property taxes by June 30 and to avoid mailing in payments if a potential Canada Post strike goes ahead as early as Friday at midnight.

A five per cent penalty will be applied to any outstanding balance starting July 1.

The City of Edmonton has already mailed out more than 430,000 property tax notices, sending them early to get ahead of any potential service disruptions.

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“We worked to mail them as early as we could to avoid a potential service disruption at Canada Post, and to get the property tax notices into owners’ hands as early as possible,” said Stephen Leroux, the city’s director of taxation, noting the mail-out began last Friday, a full week ahead of schedule, and many residents have already received their notices.

For those who haven’t received their notice by the first week of June, Leroux recommends accessing it online through the city’s MyProperty portal or by calling 311. To set up an account on the portal, residents will need an access code to add their property to their online account, which can be found on past assessment and tax notices.

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Property owners can also pay through online banking, telephone banking, or by visiting their financial institution in person. The MyProperty portal also allows residents to view tax and assessment history, sign up for digital notices, and apply for the monthly payment plan, which helps spread out payments over the year.

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To join the monthly plan, property taxes must be current. Residents need to pay the first half of the 2025 bill in full and submit their application by June 15 to begin monthly payments starting July 1.

For those without internet access or unsure of their balance, 311 remains available to assist.

“If there is a Canada Post service disruption, please do not pay us by mail, as it will not be guaranteed that your cheque will reach us in time,” Leroux said, noting residents should not wait until the last minute to pay, regardless of method, to avoid delays.

The looming strike has also prompted other organizations that rely on mail-in contributions to issue warnings. The Mustard Seed, a non-profit that supports those facing poverty and homelessness, is urging supporters to donate online or by phone to avoid delays. The organization said support from the community remains essential to continue delivering meals, shelter, health supports and outreach across Alberta and beyond.

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“Even during a postal disruption, your support is more vital than ever,” said Philip Calvert, chief development officer at The Mustard Seed in a press release. “Thousands rely on The Mustard Seed for shelter, meals, and life-changing support. By giving online or through alternate methods, you help meet urgent needs without delay.”

Donors can contribute online at theseed.ca/donate or by phone at 1.833.GIV.HOPE (448.4673), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year, the city will collect $2.3 billion in property taxes to fund city services like fire rescue, parks and roadway maintenance, and an additional $580 million for the provincial education tax.

Leroux noted that actual tax changes will vary depending on how a property’s assessed value changed compared to the average. This year, the average residential property assessment increased by 6.7 per cent, while non-residential properties saw a 1.1 per cent decrease.

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Municipal residential taxes increased 5.7 per cent, while the education portion rose 6.9 per cent.

When asked if a late payment caused by the strike would still trigger a penalty, Leroux confirmed that the June 30 deadline stands, regardless of mail delays.

“If a strike was to occur on a longer-term basis, of course we would provide further information at that time,” he said. “But we went out of our way to mail notices as early as possible.”

cnguyen@postmedia.com

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