08/18/2026
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/annual-property-tax/home-owner-grant
The extra $200 Northern and Rural Home Owner Grant is being eliminated for 2027.
The B.C. government’s 2026 Budget specifically says that, effective for the 2027 and subsequent taxation years, the $200 northern and rural benefit is repealed. The government says it was originally introduced to help offset the carbon tax, which has now ended.
So the change looks like this:
* 2026: Regular grant is $570, plus the additional $200 for qualifying northern/rural properties = $770
* 2027: The additional $200 disappears. The regular grant will be $570 province-wide.
* The enhanced grant for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities is a separate part of the program; the specific change announced is the elimination of the $200 northern/rural top-up.
So for a typical owner-occupied home in Port Alberni, someone who currently receives $770 would drop to $570 in 2027, assuming they otherwise continue to qualify and there are no further changes before then.
The home owner grant can reduce the amount of property taxes you pay to a municipality or the province for your principal residence.
