Despite a meeting with B.C. Finance Minister Carole James last week, West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom said he doesn91裸聊视频檛 expect much to change regarding the speculation and vacancy tax in the city.

Since the tax91裸聊视频檚 implementation in early 2018, the mayor has been vocal about his opposition to it. While meant to target vacant properties and properties owned by real estate speculators, Milsom said that neither are prevalent issues in West Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think they really did their due diligence,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e knew, by individuals filing their property taxes, as to whether or not they were foreign owners. We realized very quickly that this tax would impact mainly Canadians.91裸聊视频�

The mayor said there has been little explanation as to why West Kelowna was included in the tax in the first place.

91裸聊视频淭hey never really gave us any details as to why,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hey just added us in.91裸聊视频�

Milsom said in West Kelowna the tax is mainly taking its toll on B.C. residents, those with summer homes and the job market.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not surprised by the numbers,91裸聊视频� he said, citing that about two-thirds of those who pay the tax province-wide are foreign owners or satellite families.

91裸聊视频淏ut in West Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 situation, that91裸聊视频檚 not the case. We have very few foreign owners and very few satellite families.91裸聊视频�

He cited a Canadian Home Builders of the Central Okanagan report which said a 17 per cent reduction in jobs related to residential construction in West Kelowna came at the hands of the speculation tax.

As the tax is mainly affecting 91裸聊视频済ood West Kelowna citizens,91裸聊视频� Milsom joined several other mayors in asking James to implement an opt-in/opt-out system.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think it91裸聊视频檚 fair to tax Canadians in that way,91裸聊视频� he said.

Several mayors at the meeting were supportive of the tax, coming mostly from the larger cities, including Vancouver and Victoria.

91裸聊视频淢any homes are unaffordable in those areas,91裸聊视频� Milsom said. 91裸聊视频淭he spec tax fit with other programs that help to reduce home costs in those areas.91裸聊视频�

Milsom said James is taking the feedback from all of the mayors present at the meeting into consideration but is unsure if any changes will be made. She said if any changes need to be made, they would be done before the end of the year.

91裸聊视频淲hat does that mean? When are we going to hear from her?91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 hard to say what she91裸聊视频檚 going to come back with.91裸聊视频�

According to the Ministry of Finance, revenue from the tax totalled $115 million for the 2018-19 fiscal year and just over $1 million came from West Kelowna.

READ MORE: Central Okanagan to have childcare needs assessed by study

READ MORE: 91裸聊视频業t hasn91裸聊视频檛 gone well91裸聊视频�: Kelowna Mayor on speculation tax

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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