Port Coquitlam taxpayers have until Sunday, Feb. 8 to share feedback on the City’s draft 2026 budget. Residents are encouraged to review the budget highlights and complete the online survey at portcoquitlam.ca/2026budget.
The draft $129.4-million 2026 budget which includes a 1.95 per cent tax increase for the average home - one of the lowest proposed increases in the region. Approximately 73 per cent of the proposed increase relates to mandated RCMP and labour contract costs, with the remainder due to inflation, rising service-provider fees and long-term infrastructure funding.
Most property owners have received budget highlights in the mail. Port Coquitlam residents who complete the survey by Sunday, Feb. 8 will be entered in a draw for a $150 gift card to a licensed Port Coquitlam business of their choice. All public feedback received will help inform the 2026 budget as well as other important decisions year-round.
The annual operating budget pays for a wide variety of City services that residents and businesses rely on every day, including public safety, waste collection, recreation, transportation, utilities and development services that support new housing and amenities.
For 2026, Port Coquitlam has focused on maintaining existing service levels and finding savings and efficiencies to limit costs for taxpayers. This has included reviewing costs line by line, deferring non-critical items, the strategic use of reserves, and leveraging partnerships and grant funding wherever possible.
Charges from Metro Vancouver and external service providers make up the majority of the increases for 2026 utility levies.
The water levy increase of 6.53 per cent ($34.39) in 2026 includes City savings of 0.99 per cent, which partly offset the Metro Vancouver increase of 7.52 per cent. The sewer levy increase of 8.97 per cent ($46.49) includes 2.52 per cent from the City and 6.45 per cent from Metro Vancouver. The solid waste levy for homes receiving City waste services has risen 2.59 per cent, or $8.40, more than half of which is due to increased costs for external service providers.
Property assessments that started arriving from BC Assessment in early January will also play a key role in the final tax bill. Properties whose value has risen more or less than other typical properties of the same type will experience a tax rate that differs from the average.
Have Your Say on the Budget
To give your feedback, visit portcoquitlam.ca/2026budget to review the budget information and complete the survey by Sunday, Feb. 8 on the Let’s Talk PoCo engagement portal.
For more information, visit portcoquitlam.ca/2026budget or contact [email protected] or 604.927.5280.
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