By Darren Rathwell

Cypress County gets pay day from energy companies

Oct 29, 2021 | 5:44 PM

Officials with Cypress County say a large portion of taxes owed by energy companies in recent years have been paid.

As CHAT News reported Thursday, the province wants to crack down on oil and gas companies who fail to pay their taxes to municipalities.

If passed, Bill 77 would allow municipalities to seize the property of delinquent energy companies.

But Cypress County officials say 98% of energy operations in the region are paid up.

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“The companies that we have had concerns with have paid the uncollected (debt). So we’re very fortunate and blessed,” Tarolyn Aaserud, chief administrative officer said.

A statement from the county says that as of this month, less than $500,000 in taxes are still owed to Cypress County by energy companies, down from $2.4 million in 2018.

However, Aaserud says the county supports the new legislation as means to collect on debts owed to municipalities by energy companies, also noting those operations that are delinquent on taxes are in the minority.

The county also points out it collects more than $23 million in municipal taxes per year.