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

Snowflurries in Vancouver on Tuesday

Environment Canada says the forecast calls for snowflurries in the Metro Vancouver area by Tuesday, followed by rain later this week. Temperatures are still forecast to remain well below zero Celsius in the province's northeast and Kootenay regions.

Snowflurries in Vancouver on Tuesday

Record cold in Western Canada across B.C., Alberta

In British Columbia, rescue crews say two skiers are lucky to be alive after they became lost in the Fitzsimmons Creek area near Whistler late Thursday as wind chill dipped around -50 C. North Shore Rescue says on social media that a helicopter was used to hoist out the pair who were hypothermic with frozen feet, and it's "unlikely the skiers would have survived the night."

Record cold in Western Canada across B.C., Alberta

Phone lines not meant for refund complaints: Coquitlam RCMP

Mounties in Coquitlam are reminding the public that its emergency and non-emergency lines are not meant for complaints about things like a cold fast-food burger. Police say that was one of many calls they had to 9-1-1 that take away staff time from helping someone with a life-threatening situation.

Phone lines not meant for refund complaints: Coquitlam RCMP

Snow and cold in Metro Vancouver wreaks havoc on the roads

An abrupt snowfall in Metro Vancouver resulted in snarled traffic and set off numerous crashes on major routes. Environment Canada says the area received about 3 centimetres of snow Thursday, which combined with freezing temperatures to create icy roads throughout the region.

Snow and cold in Metro Vancouver wreaks havoc on the roads

Canadians helped plan U.S., U.K. attacks on Houthis in Yemen: Defence Department

The Defence Department says Canadian Armed Forces members provided planning support for the U.S.-led attack on Houthi positions in Yemen Thursday but no Canadian equipment was involved. Three staff officers were deployed in December to the multinational operation in the Red Sea aimed at deterring Houthi blockades of the key shipping route.

Canadians helped plan U.S., U.K. attacks on Houthis in Yemen: Defence Department

Housing crunch prompts efforts to stabilize immigration levels, say federal ministers

Housing Minister Sean Fraser and Immigration Minister Marc Miller say the federal government is working to stabilize the number of people entering the country every year as housing pressures mount. The federal government ultimately decided to increase the number of permanent residents Canada welcomes each year to 500,000 in 2025 — nearly double the amount from 2015.