Calls for change to property assessments for those rebuilding following N.S. wildfires
It's been nearly a year since a wildfire northwest of Halifax destroyed more than 150 homes.
Tricia Murray-d'Eon's was one of them.
"They're anticipating approximately eight months for the rebuild, so we're hoping we'll be back in by Christmas," she said from her temporary accommodations in Hammonds Plains, N.S.
The process has been long, and it's also looking to be expensive.
Before the fire, she says her home's value was assessed at $362,700 with a capped assessment at $286,800. Now, the value is assessed at $741,200.
"We are looking realistically at an approximately $600 per month increase in living expenses, not including, you know, the extra groceries and gas and all that kind of stuff that everyone's facing, but the extra $600 for me because I lost my house in this wildfire," said Murray-d'Eon.
She has now started a petition calling on the Nova Scotia government to amend the Assessment Act.
"To allow the definition of rebuilds to exclude rebuilds after disasters, including wildfires, floods, and hurricanes,” she said.
Hammonds Plains Councillor Pam Lovelace says this is a problem impacting people across the province.
"It's completely wrong that they are expecting to pay two to three times more property taxes based on the fact that the PVSC is following provincial direction in the Assessment Act," said Lovelace. "It's one simple change in that Assessment Act."
Nova Scotia's Housing Department said it knows the people who have been impacted by the wildfires continue to struggle as they work to rebuild.
"The process that the Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) has chosen to apply has been used in the past and allows for a consistent application of the CAP in situations like natural disasters," the province said in a statement to CTV News.
It also said the PVSC has an appeal process, and encourages anyone with questions to reach out to them.
"This is actually an issue that will face many, many more people in Nova Scotia," said Murray-d'Eon.
Her rebuild is expected to begin this month, and she's hoping the government will make the change before then.
The province noted property owners in the direct line of wildfires will receive an additional 15 per cent reduction in their assessed value. It said those letters were mailed in January.
"To give some additional context to what PVSC is applying for those affected by wildfires, this means that if the homeowner had a 25 per cent difference between the assessed value and capped assessment of their property before the fire, that 25 per cent differential will be applied upon completion of new construction," said the province.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
BREAKING Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
P.E.I. and New Brunswick among most overworked provinces in Canada, study finds
A study says Prince Edward Island is the second most overworked province in Canada based on average weekly hours worked, while New Brunswick falls in third.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
OPINION Prince Harry: Press intrusion and the family rift explored in new doc
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has once again found himself at the centre of media attention following his recent interview as part of 'Tabloids on Trial,' an ITV documentary on phone hacking and tabloid intrusion.