WHEREAS local government fire departments are called upon to provide fire suppression services within its designated fire protection areas; AND WHEREAS local government fire departments are not reimbursed by insurance companies that benefit from loss mitigation as result of the fire departments being available to respond; AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia receives a tax on insurance premiums from the insurance companies: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities petition the provincial government to release the insurance premium taxes collected in regards to property insurance to those local governments that provide fire protection within their designated fire protection areas.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE The tax revenue generated from the 4.4 percent tax paid by insurance companies on property insurance premiums is a general revenue source to help fund essential government services.