The Manitoba government will pause land rent hikes for cottagers in provincial parks but will continue to phase in increases to park district service fees.
Cottage owners in provincial parks pay two types of fees – land rent and park district service fees.
Land values were updated in 2013 and land rent increases, which were to be phased in over 10 years, will be delayed until a new assessment model is developed.
Park district service fees will rise over the next two years, however, as the province says it will ensure cottagers cover the costs they incur for expenditures such as water treatment, road maintenance and garbage services.
In 2012 this fee recovered less than 45 per cent of service costs compared to about 80 per cent this year, the province said.
The province said cottagers will be consulted in the development of further changes to the system.
There are reportedly 6,200 cottages in Manitoba’s provincial parks, including Bakers Narrows Provincial Park near Flin Flon.
