Calgary, October 30, 2026 – Keyli Loeppky, Senior Director of Alberta and Interprovincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), issued the following statement in response to the Alberta government's education property tax announcement:
“CFIB applauds the Alberta government’s decision to reduce education property tax rates and lock in rates for three years for both residential and non-residential property owners. While CFIB looks forward to reviewing the details of the announcement, the changes appear very positive on the surface and represent a meaningful step toward a more affordable and predictable tax environment.
Reducing education property taxes will provide welcome relief for Alberta's small business owners at a time when many are facing significant cost pressures rising municipal property taxes, utility bills, insurance premiums, and labour costs. Lower taxes help entrepreneurs reinvest in their businesses, support employees, and contribute to economic growth in communities across the province.
CFIB is also pleased to see the government introduce greater predictability into the education property tax system by locking rates in for three years. Small business owners consistently tell us that certainty is critical when making decisions about hiring, expansion, and investment. A stable and transparent property tax framework will make it easier for businesses and municipalities alike to plan for the future.
While today's announcement is a positive step, the success of these reforms will ultimately be measured by the extent to which taxpayers see meaningful savings on their property tax bills. As the province reduces education property taxes and provides greater certainty, municipalities should carefully consider the impact of their own property tax decisions on families and small businesses. Relief provided by one order of government should not be quickly erased by increases from another. CFIB encourages municipalities across Alberta to keep affordability and competitiveness front of mind as they set future tax rates.”
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Keyli Loeppky
587-580-9140
Keyli.loeppky@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members (11,000 in Alberta) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.