Lorne Doerkson's B.C. Conservatives vow to cancel higher property tax deferment costs | Daily Hive

Lorne Doerkson's B.C. Conservatives promise to reverse higher property tax deferment costs for seniors

Lorne Doerkson, Oct. 9, 2026. (Conservative Party of British Columbia)

The Conservative Party of British Columbia is promising to reverse the BC NDP’s changes that made it more expensive for seniors benefiting from the provincial government’s Property Tax Deferment Program to put off paying their property taxes.

Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson announced this reversal today as a part of a broader package of platform promises covering seniors’ housing costs, health care, and transportation.

The party would undo Premier David Eby’s BC NDP-led government’s 2026 changes to the Property Tax Deferment Program, restoring more favourable borrowing terms for older homeowners.

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The longstanding program allows eligible homeowners to borrow from the provincial government to cover their annual property taxes, with the accumulated debt typically repaid when they sell their home. Until that happens, the provincial government covers the annual property tax bill from the municipal government and other taxing authorities — like the regional district, public transit authority, and provincial entities that make up the entire residential property tax bill.

This program is available to qualifying homeowners aged 55 and older, as well as other certain scenarios, such as a surviving spouse, eligible people with disabilities, or people who financially support a dependent child.

The eligibility requirements have not changed. However, previously, deferment participants were charged simple interest at two per cent below the prime rate. That meant interest was charged on the deferred taxes without adding further interest on the interest already owed.

For the property taxes deferred beginning in 2026, the rate increased to two per cent above prime, with interest compounded monthly. This means unpaid interest is added to the balance each month and begins generating additional interest charges.

Taxes deferred for 2025 and the previous years remain under the previous interest rules. The higher borrowing costs apply to taxes deferred for 2026 onward.

“Seniors spent their lives building British Columbia, and they have earned the right to stay in their homes and get the care they need close to the people they love,” said Doerkson.

“My government will make sure every senior in this province can age with dignity, security and independence.”

The financial difference can grow substantially over time.

Earlier this year, the provincial government’s independent BC Seniors Advocate highlighted that someone deferring $3,800 annually for 10 years would accumulate just over $17,000 in interest under the BC NDP’s new rules starting in 2026, compared with just over $5,000 under the previous terms.

That example assumes a constant prime rate of 4.45 per cent and the same amount deferred each year. The roughly $12,000 difference amounts to about $1,200 annually when averaged over the decade; an individual homeowner’s costs would depend on their borrowing and changing interest rates.

Based on the provincial government’s financial accounts, the average amount deferred by the program in the 2024/2025 fiscal year was $5,400.

“Seniors who need help to age at home, must travel for medical care, or pay an unexpected bill often find themselves struggling to come up with extra funds,” reads the advocate’s statement in May 2026, reacting to the 2026 provincial budget’s changes to the deferment program.

“Many seniors have spoken with me directly and contacted my office to express frustration with changes to the Property Tax Deferment Program. Generally, they are confused, concerned and believe government targeted older adults with increased costs in Budget 2026 by changing the interest terms, adding PST to many goods and services seniors buy, and delaying construction of much-needed long-term care homes. Government needs to act quickly to improve and increase the services, programs and supports seniors and their families across B.C. rely on as they age.”

Despite the advocate criticizing the provincial government’s increased deferment costs, they have continued to describe the program as a useful option for seniors struggling to afford everyday expenses and remain in their homes.

The Conservative announcement does not specify when the previous terms would be restored or whether homeowners would receive adjustments for higher interest already charged on their 2026 deferrals.

Beyond property tax deferment, Doerkson promised to accelerate long-term care construction by reviewing building design requirements they argue have made projects unnecessarily expensive, while maintaining safety and care standards.

The party notes that approximately 7,200 people are waiting for long-term care beds. It proposes allowing seniors waiting for a long-term care bed to receive “portable public funding” to provide them and their families with the choice of options among qualified care providers, including non-government operators.

For seniors remaining at home, the Conservatives promise to expand publicly funded home care options, providing them with more control over the services they receive.

Other commitments include free shingles vaccinations for seniors, financial assistance for hearing aids for those on low, fixed incomes, and additional HandyDART shuttle transportation service in areas with the greatest demand.

The party also proposes stronger protections against abuse and fraud, help using digital services, and continued access to government services for people who cannot or prefer not to go online.

A proposed Long Term Care Access and Transparency Act would require monthly regional reporting on long-term-care waitlists, hospice capacity and access to home support, alongside an annually updated plan to improve services.

The provincial general election is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The separate civic election day will occur on Saturday, Oct. 17, just one week before the provincial election. Advancing voting in the provincial election begins a day before civic election day.

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