Our Funding Partnership with BC Parks Foundation
GENERAL INFORMATION: BC Parks Foundation and the Metchosin Foundation
The Metchosin Foundation undertakes its philanthropic work in partnership with other agencies, to magnify impact within and beyond our community. Since 2023, we have been grateful to work in collaboration with the BC Parks Foundation (BCPF). In 2025 our respective agencies entered into a written, bilateral agreement.
BCPF is not a service organization. BCPF operates as a province-wide funding partner, collaborating with many local governments and with smaller agencies such as our own.
A necessary condition for BCPF to invest its donors’ capital within a given BC region is local
government policy support. The most basic form of policy support is an enduring waiver of all property taxes on land acquired for park-related purposes.
MONETARY BENEFITS TO METCHOSIN
Since 2023, BCPF has invested well over $3 million in land acquisition in Metchosin, acquiring 32 forested acres notable for freshwater habitat (ponds, wetlands and streams) and 51 forested acres notable for migratory bird habitat.
In support of these acquisitions, the Metchosin Foundation has contributed hundreds of hours of in-kind effort and over $70,000 in grants, made possible by our own donors’ generosity.
Per capita investment to date, for the benefit of all ~ 5000 Metchosin residents (5067 residents, per 2021 census) has been well over $600 per person (i.e. well over $300 per person, per year).
NON-MONETARY BENEFITS TO METCHOSIN
Properties acquired by BCPF (with contribution from the Metchosin Foundation) support the environmental dimension of the District’s Strategic Plan. These properties also help to sustain:
- our community’s forest cover, ground water, climate resilency and biodiversity; and
- to our community’s valued rural character, within a rapidly urbanizing Capital Regional District.
ANNUAL COST TO METCHOSIN’S PROPERTY TAX PAYERS
Based on CFO Kreek’s September 15, 2025 Report for Council (2026 Permissive Tax Exemption Report):
- The District of Metchosin’s attributed share of BCPF’s permissive property tax exemption that would be payable by the owner(s) of an average local property would be under $2.00 per year.
- The share of BCPF’s permissive property tax exemption attributable to other taxation authorities* and payable by the owner(s) of an average local property would be just over $3.00 per year.
* Since BCPF’s conservation & park properties do not create incremental demand for regional amenities such as schools, hospitals or recreational facilities, they should not be assessed a corresponding property tax levy.