The Town of Peace River will be holding a public auction of land and properties that are in tax arrears.
At its regular meeting April 27, Councillor Brandon Dous moved to set reserve bids for parcels to be auctioned at the 2026 tax recovery sale at 2025 assessed values.
Council voted unanimously to move ahead with the auction.
“Pursuant to Section 418 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) a municipality must offer for sale at a public auction any land shown on its tax arrears list,” explains Mayor Shelly Shannon.
“Properties must be in tax arrears for at least two years before being offered up for auction.”
Shannon says the auction will often include both residential and commercial properties, with all properties offered for sale found on peaceriver.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html.
Currently, there are eight properties up for auction, ranging in price from $55,520 to $295,270.
“The number and types of properties fluctuate continuously,” says Shannon. “In accordance with the MGA, the tax auction, along with the list of properties, must also be advertised in the Alberta Gazette and a local newspaper.”
All properties in this year’s tax auction are vacant commercial properties.
“If a property is not sold at public auction, section 424 of the MGA entitles the municipality to take possession by registering title in its name under Tax Forfeiture if it chooses,” Shannon explains.
“Following the tax auction, administration will seek direction from council regarding the assumption of title by way of tax forfeiture for any unsold parcel.”
The auction will be held in Peace River council chambers at Town Hall at 9911 100 Street in Peace River on July 16 starting at 9:30 a.m.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter