A non-profit group that runs a transition home and support services for women and children affected by violence and abuse will have to pay property taxes next year in Port Coquitlam.
On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the city's committee of council unanimously denied a property tax exemption for Atira Women's Resource Society for 2024 due to operational and safety concerns with The Alex, a new facility at 2117 Prairie Ave.
Earlier this month, the committee deferred the exemption bid to give city staff more time to speak with Atira officials about issues raised by the residents at The Alex, as well as neighbours.
The city also wanted Atira to speak about a promise it made that The Alex would be primarily for PoCo residents and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation members — a requirement under the city's Permissive Property Tax Exemption policy.
The city tax relief for Atira was estimated to be $34,658 next year.
But the organization, which is currently under a financial audit following the resignation this spring of CEO Janice Abbott, failed to make an effort to properly reach out, an angry Coun. Steve Darling said.
"This issue was brought up two weeks ago," he said, calling Atira's actions "disgraceful" and "offensive."
Atira, Darling said, needs to be held accountable.
"They promised something. They gave us what we wanted to hear and didn't deliver," Coun. Darrell Penner said.
Coun. Glenn Pollock, who helped to get the residential facility up, said council needs to hold Atira's feet to the fire.
As for the safety of The Alex, Mayor Brad West said the city has received more correspondence over the past two weeks from residents. He said putting more harm in the way "society's more vulnerable" is upsetting.
And for Atira not to be urgent with the community's concerns is telling, Coun. Paige Petriw said.
"The management has to right the ship," Coun. Dean Washington said. "I'm looking forward to a turnaround."
"I think it's unfortunate that it's turned into what it has," added Coun. Nancy McCurrach. "Our big concern is about looking after the vulnerable."
