The speculation tax is intended to address housing affordability and not hamper the real estate market, say the B.C. NDP.
Nanaimo byelection candidate Sheila Malcolmson and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke at a provincial NDP council meeting in Nanaimo (on Vancouver Island) on Saturday and with a byelection set for Jan. 30, discussed issues including the vacant home tax. Nanaimo is subject to the tax, while Kamloops, an area with similar population, is not. Lantzville, on Vancouver Island, is also subject and Parksville and Qualicum (also on the Island) while originally set to be taxed, were eventually exempted.
Horgan said the vacancy rate and homeless problems were why Nanaimo was included.
91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 want to see vacant houses when we have people that can91裸聊视频檛 find a place to rent,91裸聊视频� Horgan told the News Bulletin. 91裸聊视频淚f you want to avoid the speculation tax and you have a vacant home, you can rent it and you don91裸聊视频檛 have to pay any tax. It was directed at making sure we91裸聊视频檙e dealing with housing affordability. It wasn91裸聊视频檛 exclusively about restricting those coming in and buying more properties. You can buy all the properties you want, but fill them with people. Houses are supposed to be for people. You shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be investing in the housing market as part of your real estate speculation 91裸聊视频� that91裸聊视频檚 the message we91裸聊视频檙e sending.91裸聊视频�
Malcolmson has been hearing about homelessness and housing affordability while campaigning and said she will push for change.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 getting feedback from people that they want to see all tools employed to make up for the last 16 years of B.C. Liberal inaction 91裸聊视频� I91裸聊视频檓 also reminded by the finance minister (Carole James) that if this isn91裸聊视频檛 working for Nanaimo, or if Nanaimo91裸聊视频檚 conditions change fast enough, then when the annual review comes up, if I91裸聊视频檓 honoured to be the MLA, then I91裸聊视频檒l be advocating for changes to the program to make sure it achieves the goal of affordability,91裸聊视频� said Malcolmson.
British Columbians will be required to fill out a form in relation to the tax and Malcolmson addressed the notion that the province should go after speculators and not all people.
91裸聊视频淎s was the experience in Vancouver, for you to find the speculators, you do need to do the paperwork and it was implemented without a great deal of controversy in Vancouver,91裸聊视频� said Malcolmson. 91裸聊视频淭hey had 96 per cent compliance with people filling out the forms. B.C. Liberals didn91裸聊视频檛 raise the issue in the legislature when they had the opportunity and the program that91裸聊视频檚 in place right now is modelled on what worked well in Vancouver and so that91裸聊视频檚 what I91裸聊视频檓 talking with people when they say they91裸聊视频檙e concerned, I let them know this is the best way for us to achieve the objective.91裸聊视频�
Historically, governing parties haven91裸聊视频檛 fared well in byelections and Horgan said he would take it step by step when asked about what would happen if his party loses.
91裸聊视频淲hat if? What if? If horses had horns they91裸聊视频檇 be unicorns,91裸聊视频� said Horgan. 91裸聊视频淭hey don91裸聊视频檛, so I91裸聊视频檓 going to take it one day at a time as I91裸聊视频檝e been doing since I was sworn in 91裸聊视频� We haven91裸聊视频檛 had a byelection that91裸聊视频檚 been so important as this one, but we have a spectacular candidate, in a spectacular community, so the 91裸聊视频榃hat if?91裸聊视频� is how quickly can we get Sheila Malcolmson to work to help fix some of the problems here in Nanaimo.91裸聊视频�
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on
