Event Accommodation Tax Grant

The purpose of the accommodation tax is to generate revenue to support event acquisition, event retention, and/or capital repairs and upgrade initiatives related to same and non-event capital projects undertaken by the Keystone Centre that will support economic development and encourage tourism within the City of Brandon. Brandon City Council recognized event hosting as a significant economic generator for Brandon and one that would benefit from increased investment.

Through the establishment of the Accommodation Tax By-Law, City Council committed to investing proceeds from the tax into growing existing events, attracting new events to Brandon and supporting non-event capital projects undertaken by the Keystone with some specific exemptions, guests to the City of Brandon can expect that the accommodation tax will be charged on all room or bed accommodations of less than thirty nights. Accommodation tax will apply to a room that has been paid for, even if it was not used. The accommodation tax is 5% plus GST per night of the price paid for the room. Any additional room charges, such as for the use of a pool, breakfasts, late checkout fees, pet fees, etc. are not subject to the tax. Guests should note that the amount of the accommodation tax must be shown as a separate line item on each customer invoice issued by each establishment.

To be eligible for an Accommodation Tax Grant, an event must generate overnight stays (limited to hotel/motel rooms, Brandon University, B&B rooms) in Brandon. Application proposals for use of the funds collected through the City of Brandon Accommodation Tax By-Law 7014 will be considered on an ongoing basis by the City of Brandon through application to the Director of Economic Development. Applicants are to select the funding category that best fits the criteria of the event from those listed below. Applications must be submitted, reviewed and a decision made by the Director of Economic Development Brandon or Brandon City Council in advance of the event occurring or capital work beginning. The Director of Economic Development Brandon has authority to approve grant applications up to $20,000, over that amount a recommendation will go to City Council to approve the application.

Accommodation Tax Brochure

By-law No. 7014

Event Grant Application Categories

New Event

This category is typically suitable for applicants looking to bring an existing event to Brandon that has not been held in the city for at least three full consecutive event cycles or create a brand-new event to be held in Brandon. Event cycles are defined as 3 consecutive regular rotational years that an event has been held in Brandon such as annual, biennial, triennial, or other regular frequency.

Event Retention

This category is typically suitable for an event that has a history of being hosted in Brandon but is in jeopardy of no longer being hosted in Brandon or being shortened as a result of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to finances or a competitive bid from another community.

Growing an Existing Event

This category is typically suitable for an event that has a history of being hosted in Brandon but is looking to expand the event in order to attract a new market segment to the event which will result in increased room nights.

Capital Enhancements

This category is for repairs or upgrades of a capital nature that are required in order to host a specific event in Brandon. Capital funding will not be approved to position Brandon to pursue future events or for the purposes of regular maintenance. Non-event capital projects undertaken by the Keystone Centre are handled through a different process than what is described here.

Annual Events of Significant Economic Impact

This category is suitable for events held in Brandon for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years that generate a minimum of 1,500 room nights that are subject to the Accommodation Tax (campground stays do not qualify as room nights). Events that alternate between Brandon and another location on an annual basis are not eligible for funding.

Learn About Funding Categories

Accommodation Tax Exemptions

The accommodation tax does not apply to the following situations:

accommodations where the purchase price is $30.00 or less per night;
accommodations provided to patients or residents of a hospital, personal care home, or residential care facility;
accommodations provided to patients and/or the family of patients while attending for medical care and treatment;
accommodations provided to a student by a registered educational institution while the student is registered at and attending that institution;
accommodation supplied for a person undertaking an apprenticeship or trade certification;
accommodation supplied by employers to their employees in premises owned and/or operated by or on behalf of the employer;
accommodation provided to evacuees or as provided on a temporary basis by the provincial or federal government, or any other agency;
tent or trailer sites supplied by a campground, tourist camp or trailer park;
hospitality rooms that do not include a bed;
accommodations provided in establishments in which fewer than four (4) bedrooms are available for rent;

Provisions are in place to issue refunds to the guest (within one year of their stay) when the guest falls under one of the above noted exemptions.

Contact Us

For further information on Accommodation Tax funding applications, program guidelines and to submit a funding application, please contact:

Economic Development Brandon
204 - 729 - 2132
accommodationtax@brandon.ca

410 – 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2

For assistance in completing Accommodation Tax funding applications and final reports or tips for tracking room nights, please contact:

Brandon First
204 - 729 - 2156
info@brandonfirst.com

#1 545 Conservation Drive
Brandon, MB R7A 7L8

For further information on the Accommodation Tax remittance process or for information on guest refunds, please contact:

City of Brandon - Finance Department
204 - 729 – 2592
accommodationtax@brandon.ca

410 - 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2