National

Eby defends B.C.'s speculation tax increase, says it will create more needed rentals

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Oct, 2024 12:09 PM

New Democrat Leader David Eby is defending plans to increase British Columbia's speculation tax on empty homes because he says it works.

He says the tax saw 20,000 vacant homes in Metro Vancouver rented out since its introduction in 2017 and he expects more rental opportunities will result from the increase.

We’re building homes, hospitals and schools and helping families with costs. We’re taking action to deliver relief right now – not promising help in 5 years.

I’m on the side of British Columbians – John Rustad is on the side of billionaires. pic.twitter.com/zhUOjhZhiR
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 4, 2024

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

We're building more middle-class homes, faster. Opening pathways to homeownership for 25,000 middle-class families to buy their first home. pic.twitter.com/OtpIW98Z1I
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 4, 2024

The NDP's election platform calls for the tax on vacant second properties to increase to one per cent of assessed value for Canadian owners from the current .5 per cent.

The New Democrats say the tax will increase to three per cent of assessed value for foreign property owners from the current 1.5 per cent.

Eby says they don't actually want people to pay the tax and the best loophole people can use is to rent our their home.

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau is in Cowichan Bay with two of her candidates to announce what they're calling "a new vision for B.C.'s forests," which includes a ban on old-growth logging and making big firms pay their fair share in taxes, while stopping industry subsidies.

The announcement comes after she spent Thursday promoting her party's promise to increase social and disability assistance rates to $2,400 per month, and provide a guaranteed income for youth aging out of care.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is in Kelowna to make an announcement after the Conservatives said they would eliminate B.C.'s nearly $9-billion deficit within two terms of government.

British Columbia's election day is on Oct. 19.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

Retailer London Drugs says it is "unwilling and unable" to pay a multimillion-dollar ransom to cybercriminals who claim to have stolen data in a hacking attack that recently shut down its stores for more than a week. The company says in a statement that the criminals could leak stolen corporate files containing employee information on the dark web, calling the situation "deeply distressing."

London Drugs says it's unwilling to pay ransom demanded by hackers

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February. The international law enforcement agency says a total of more than 1,500 vehicles have been identified thanks to the RCMP's decision earlier this year to integrate Canada's database for stolen vehicles with Interpol's.

Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling. A new Leger survey found that almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe food inflation has been primarily caused by grocery stores trying to increase profit margins. Another 26 per cent think it’s mostly due to global economic factors, while one in five blame the federal government

Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, 18% are boycotting Loblaw: poll

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says

The study, which was based on the most recent census data, says Indian students were more likely to live in unsuitable housing than students from other countries. In Brampton, Ont. and Surrey, B.C., the municipalities with the largest proportions of Indian students, more than 60 per cent of international students were living in unsuitable housing.

Indian international students most likely to live in unsuitable housing, StatCan says

Freeland says capital gains proposal will be tabled before summer break

The Liberal government will bring its proposal to increase the inclusion rate on capital gains to the House of Commons before the parliamentary summer break, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday.

Freeland says capital gains proposal will be tabled before summer break

Cooler, wetter weather aids B.C. wildfire fight in northeast

The BC Wildfire Service says cooler, wetter conditions are allowing crews to make progress in their firefight in the province's northeast where thousands of evacuees remain out of their homes for a second week. The service says the more seasonable weather is expected to persist until Wednesday.