Port Coquitlam Lions Club
2675 Shaughnessy Street V3C 6K5 Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

This morning our Animal Control Officer, Public Works Team and BC Conservation rescued 9 ducklings from a storm drain in an industrial complex on Seaborn Avenue! They are now safe and being cared for at the Burnaby Wildlife Rescue Centre

IMPORTANT info for PoCo Taxpayers! Two important things for our taxpayers to know: Council has moved the 2021 property tax deadline without penalty from July 3 ...to Sept 15 to provide more breathing room and time for those who need it; and The previously reported 2.37% property tax increase for the average property has been further reduced to 2.13% or $41.17. Marking two years of having the lowest in all the cities of Metro Vancouver (last year was 0%), but not sacrificing core services or infrastructure to do it. Full details here: Port Coquitlam residents and businesses facing economic hardship due to the pandemic will have a little longer to pay their 2021 property taxes without incurring penalties. While 2021 property taxes are officially due on July 2, Council approved changes to cancel the typical five per cent late fee on July 3 and defer the second five percent penalty from Aug. 16 to Sept. 15, providing property owners with an additional month to pay their taxes and submit their home owner grant without penalty This latest round of taxpayer relief was approved along with bylaws confirming the City’s 2021 tax rate and solid waste levies. We know the pandemic is continuing to take a toll on businesses and the livelihoods of many of our taxpayers, Mayor Brad West said. Cancelling and deferring late fees is something we can do to help, along with continuing our responsible approach to finances that focuses on core city services. Our efforts mean that Port Coquitlam has among the lowest average property taxes in Metro Vancouver, while continuing to provide upgrades and enhancements to our community. Many residents have told us they will do their best to pay their taxes by the deadline, but appreciate this extra breathing room and support if they need it. Pushing the deadline without penalty to Sept. 15 will also give residents more time to claim their home owner grant, which requires a new process this year. The provincial government is now administering the grant and applications must be submitted online at www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or by phone at 1-888-355-2700 rather than through the City. Homeowners age 55 and up also have the option of applying to defer their 2021 taxes though www.gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment. Restaurants, the entertainment industry and many other businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, so this relief will be welcome news for them and the residents they employ, noted Cllr. Dean Washington, Council’s designate on budget matters. We also need to recognize that property taxes pay for essential City services, so we ask people to pay by July 2 if they can. Taxpayer Impact The bylaws adopted last night set the stage for a responsible $95.5-million budget that reflects rising operating, utility and other costs beyond the City’s control, and some enhancements to core services that residents have been asking for. The average home assessed at $779,501 will see a 2.13 per cent ($41.17) increase in taxes this year, taking into consideration that starting in 2021, properties no longer have to pay the $25 parcel tax for the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The exact amount paid by each home will depend on how it compares to the average residential assessment of $779,501, and whether their assessed value increased more or less than other properties. Final 2021 assessed values for residential properties went up an average of 6.40 per cent including 3.41 per cent for strata properties and 7.57 per cent for single-family homes. Focused primarily on core services, the budget will carry through on Council priorities, such as increased bylaw enforcement, along with enhancements to address resident requests, such as extra holiday recycling in 2021, a large item pick-up pilot program, increases in snow removal, City-wide litter collection, park graffiti removal and grass cutting, sport field and court maintenance, and a gender-equity program offering free menstrual products in City facilities. Information and Resources Visit portcoquitlam.ca/2021budget for information about the 2021 budget, or portcoquitlam.ca/taxes for information about tax payments. To make it easier to pay, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the City’s tax prepayment plan, which divides the following year’s utility and/or tax payments into an equal number of pre-authorized payments. The best time to start is in July. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/prepayment to sign up for 2022. Residents and businesses can also sign up for a MyPortCoquitlam account at my.portcoquitlam.ca to give them 24/7 secure access to information about their property taxes, utilities and dog and business licences. Subscribers can also choose to receive their tax and utility bills by email.

Throw Back Thursday! 70th Anniversary Celebration Nov 2019 Westwood Plateau!

Fellow Lions, I thought you might like to know that here in Canada certain recycling centres will set up an account for your club and pay you for all recycling ...that is identified as such when it's dropped off. In Chilliwack, the depot on Trethewey Ave works with the Mt Cheam Lions as shown below. And it's easy....anyone punching in the club code shown on the poster below earns us money. It doesn't even have to be a member dropping off the recycling.

We shall never forget.

Family Day Colouring Contest in support of Canuck Place Children's Hospice!!! Calling our young friends!! Our lion prides need some colour! Can you add some col...our to our lion's lives? Print the picture you would like to colour, and make sure to include your name and age. After colouring, have an adult take a picture of your work of art and share it on our Facebook page!! On Family Day, the best entries in the following categories will win a gift card: Ages 0-4 Ages 5-10 Ages 10 + Adults: 100% of the proceeds will be donated to our friends at Canuck Place to help with their important work. Send the $5 for each entry via e-transfer to [email protected]. The question should be set to: Which organization is organizing this contest? Answer: Lions Winners will be contacted the week of February 15 on Facebook to make arrangements for an electronic transfer of the gift card.

Calling all lion cubs! Make sure to get your submissions in for Family Day on February 15 for a chance to win a gift card!!

The world of Lionism is changing like never before except it so we can move forward.

We are looking forward to our MD - 19 Annual Convention November 7th join in on the virtual experience...

If you would like to become a member of the Port Coquitlam Lions family feel free to me. Lion Gord @ [email protected]