Imagine waking up to a letter that says your home’s value has skyrocketed by nearly 50%, leaving you staring down the barrel of potentially massive tax hikes. That’s the reality for Jeremy Dias, a Winnipeg homeowner who’s now bracing for his third battle against the city’s property assessment process. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is it fair to force taxpayers into a grueling appeals process that feels stacked against them? Dias certainly doesn’t think so.
In a recent interview with CBC News, Dias shared his frustration with the system. His Charleswood home, valued at $400,000 in 2024, is now being assessed at a staggering $593,000 for the 2027 tax year. That’s a jaw-dropping $200,000 increase. ‘It’s exhausting,’ Dias admitted. ‘The burden is entirely on the taxpayer to prove why the assessment is wrong. I don’t think that’s fair.’
Here’s how the process works: Every two years, the city reviews residential property values and sends out proposed assessments. Homeowners like Dias have until April 10 to schedule a call with city staff to voice their concerns. If that fails, they can escalate to the Board of Revision, a quasi-judicial body that reviews the city’s assessment based on the evidence provided. But there’s a catch: it requires time, effort, and a non-refundable filing fee. And this is the part most people miss: Not everyone has the resources or knowledge to navigate this complex process, leaving many to simply accept higher taxes without a fight.
Dias knows this all too well. In 2024, he successfully negotiated his assessment down from $500,000 to $400,000 over the phone, but the experience left him drained. ‘The city constantly pushes you to compromise,’ he said. ‘It feels like they’re not on your side.’ In another instance, he had to escalate to the Board of Revision, a step that requires homeowners to prove their case with detailed documentation—something Dias argues is unfair for those without expertise in property valuation.
Here’s the controversial question: Should the city bear more responsibility for justifying these massive increases, or is it reasonable to expect homeowners to shoulder the burden? Antoine Hacault, a lawyer specializing in property valuation, explains that the city uses software to compare homes based on recent sales. However, this system doesn’t account for individual factors like renovations or lack thereof, leading to inconsistencies. ‘You might get pricing that doesn’t make sense,’ Hacault noted. To successfully appeal, homeowners must provide evidence of similar homes selling for less around the assessment date—a task that’s easier said than done.
Dias worries about those who can’t afford to fight back. ‘If you don’t understand the process, you’re stuck with the default valuation and higher taxes,’ he said. With property taxes already set to rise by 3.5% in Winnipeg’s 2026 budget, these assessments only add to the financial strain. ‘Incomes aren’t keeping up,’ Dias pointed out. ‘It’s outrageous.’
As Dias prepares for another round of appeals, he’s calling for a fairer system. But will the city listen? What do you think? Is the current process reasonable, or does it need an overhaul? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could lead to change.
