After extensive debate that balanced environmental remediation against budget discipline, Prince Albert’s executive committee voted to deny all property tax abatement requests submitted by Prism Holdings Ltd.
The decision followed a lengthy discussion Monday that touched on contaminated land cleanup, development incentives, and the absence of a formal city policy to support remediation-only tax relief.
Prism had requested four-year property tax abatements for two properties on 15th Street East: the former Peavey Mart site at 300 15th Street East and a vacant parcel at 450 15th Street East that was previously contaminated by fuel storage and has since been remediated.
The administration, represented by Acting Director of Financial Services Nasir Khan, recommended denying both requests during his presentation to the council. Khan told the council the former Peavey Mart property had already received a four-year sliding-scale abatement that ended in 2025, totaling approximately $366,000, and that granting further relief to help secure a tenant would set an unsustainable precedent.
For the vacant land, Khan noted Prism purchased the property knowing it was contaminated land, particularly along a major corridor such as 15th Street.
Mayor Bill Powalinsky argued remediation benefits extend beyond private development.
“We had poisoned ground, and as water moves through that land, it eventually ends up in the river,” Powalinsky said. “Encouraging remediation is in the best interest of the environment, our water supply, and the long-term economy of the city.”
Powalinsky suggested the requests should be separated and reconsidered individually, particularly the vacant parcel, noting the cost of remediation far exceeded the value of the requested abatement.
However, multiple councillors returned to concerns about fairness, timing, and the lack of a guiding framework.
Ward 7 Coun. Dawn Kilmer said council must be cautious when using public funds.
“I do not believe residents of Prince Albert should be subsidizing investors unless there is a clear and measurable public benefit,” Kilmer said.
Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards warned that approving abatements after remediation work is complete could open the door to similar requests across the city.
“If this moves forward, how many other properties cleaned up over decades would come forward asking for the same treatment?” Edwards said. “We do not have the funds or the policy structure for that.”
Concerns were also raised about the city’s budget. Khan confirmed the requested abatements were not accounted for, and any approval would require drawing from stabilization reserves.
After discussion, the committee formally split the application into two motions. One motion denied the abatement request for the former Peavey Mart Site, moved by Coun. Stephen Ring. The second motion denied the abatement request for the vacant remediated land, moved by Kilmer. Both motions passed.
While the requests were denied, councillors broadly agreed the issue exposed a policy gap. Several members called for a future report on whether Prince Albert should develop a formal remediation or brownfield incentive program to encourage cleanup without relying on one-off abatements.
Coun. Bryce Laewetz described the request as “unfortunate timing,” noting the city lacks a formal remediation incentive program and warning against setting a precedent through one-off abatements.
“This is a tough one, because we do not have anything saying what we should and should not do with stuff like this. I want people to develop in our city. I want to incentivize people to come in and clean up. This might be the unfortunate one that came in early before we create that program,” Laewetz said.
For now, the council signaled that environmental remediation remains a priority, but one that must be addressed through policy rather than individual exceptions.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
