School tax hikes adding up in Winnipeg

CTV’s Jeff Keele examines why school division tax increases are higher than normal this year.

Winnipeg homeowners may be giving school tax bills a failing grade, as all six major school divisions in the city have approved budgets for 2026–27 that include mill rate increases.

The hikes vary across divisions but all trend upward. Seven Oaks School Division approved a 2.36 per cent increase, while River East–Transcona School Division set a 7.3 per cent rise.

St. James-Assiniboia School Division will see an 8.87 per cent increase, and Winnipeg School Division approved a 9.32 per cent hike. Pembina Trails School Division and Louis Riel School Division top the list at 9.61 and 9.99 per cent respectively.

Two Winnipeg city councillors are raising concerns about the impact on homeowners.

“Ultimately it’s alarming that the school divisions on average are raising their taxes ten percent,” Duncan said.

School board officials argue the increases are necessary to keep up with rising costs.

Craig Stahlke, vice chair of the Pembina Trails board, acknowledged the burden on taxpayers but said growing enrolment is a key factor.

“I understand, we understand that it’s a higher-than-normal increase in the local property taxes,” Stahlke said.

He added that more students mean a need for additional teachers and educational assistants, particularly to support students with special needs.

“Our expenses are going up a little over nine per cent, consequently the difference has to be raised from the local levy,” he said.

That difference, many divisions say, exists because provincial funding falls short.

However, Finance Minister Adrien Sala disputes that claim, saying the province is adequately supporting education. He pointed to a tax credit program that allows eligible homeowners to receive up to $1,600 in relief.

“We’re lowering those costs of education property taxes, while we finally fund education properly,” Sala said.

Meanwhile, Progressive Conservative finance critic Lauren Stone argues the increases are a result of the NDP ending a two percent cap on school tax increases.

“They removed all the safeguards that protected Manitoba homeowners from massive school division tax hikes,” Stone said.