MacBride Museum in Whitehorse cries foul on property taxes

The MacBride Museum of Yukon History in Whitehorse says it could be forced to cut hours and programming if Whitehorse City Council insists it pay property taxes.

The non-profit museum has had a break on its municipal taxes for more than 50 years, but the city wants to change that.

Keith Halliday, the museum’s president, says the move doesn’t make sense.

“What puzzles me about this is the city ran a $4 million surplus last year and has record amounts of cash reserves in the bank, so it doesn't seem like the city needs the money," he says. "I'm not quite sure why they would choose now to take money away from the community museum.”

Halliday says property taxes could rise to about $5,000 in 2015. He says that would have a significant impact on an organization with core funding of $110,000.

The museum's main expense is staffing.

Halliday says unless next summer's tourist season is particularly profitable, the museum will have to consider reducing hours and programming to cover the tax bill.

The museum's board of directors has written to city council this week asking it to continue forgiving the museum's property tax.

Halliday says the Board is now waiting to see what city council decides.

The MacBride Museum was named the most under-rated tourist attraction in Canada by the MSN Travel website earlier this year.