Without direct reference to SaanichB次元官网网址檚 request for an exemption from the speculation tax, local MLA Lana Popham defended the speculation tax.
B次元官网网址淭he housing affordability crisis in Saanich South is a top issue here and across the province, and people are frustrated that it has been allowed to spiral out of control, unchecked for 16 years,B次元官网网址� she said in a statement to the Saanich B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淭oo many people tell me that they are unable to find or afford housing in our community, and that businesses are struggling to find workers as a result. The problem demands immediate, bold action and our government is acting.B次元官网网址� She later added through a spokesperson that she supports the decision of the government without directly commenting on councilB次元官网网址檚 decision.
Popham, who is also the minister of agriculture, made this comment after Saanich voted 5-4 to formally request an exemption from the speculation tax.
Mayor Richard Atwell joined Couns. Susan Brice, Karen Harper, Vicki Sanders and Leif Wergeland in support of the exemption. Couns. Judy Brownoff, Fred Haynes, Colin Plant and Dean Murdock opposed it.
While PophamB次元官网网址檚 public support for the tax represents par for the course, SaanichB次元官网网址檚 opposition represents a different category. Saanich is neither the first nor likely the last community to ask for an exemption, but its size and status as the largest municipality in Greater Victoria will likely grants its concerns more influence than the concerns of communities like Qualicum Beach.
Coun. Dean Murdock referenced this reality in supporting calls by Coun. Fred Haynes for a meeting with the provincial government prior to submitting an exemption request.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 prepared to wager that the largest municipality in one of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 most expensive real estate markets isnB次元官网网址檛 going to get an exemption from the speculation tax, if it goes into place,B次元官网网址� said Murdock. B次元官网网址淏ut if there is information out there, B次元官网网址榯his is going to have adverse consequences we didnB次元官网网址檛 anticipate,B次元官网网址� that is a conversation [with the provincial government] well worth having.B次元官网网址�
In the end, this appeal did not stop council from submitting a formal request for exemption. This said, council later agreed to ask for a meeting with the provincial government to discuss its reasons for the exemption request. It is not clear if and when such a meeting might take place. The ministry of finance did not respond to questions by deadline.
SaanichB次元官网网址檚 concerns with the speculation tax also sends a larger political message. Two of the three MLAs representing Saanich sit in cabinet B次元官网网址� Popham and education minister Rob Fleming. The third B次元官网网址� Green MLA Andrew Weaver B次元官网网址� is arguably the most important figure in contemporary B.C. politics behind Premier John Horgan himself by virtue of holding the fate of HorganB次元官网网址檚 minority government in his hands.
So where do these figures stand on SaanichB次元官网网址檚 exemption request?
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud that our government is taking action on the housing crisis,B次元官网网址� said Fleming. B次元官网网址淎ffordable housing is now out of reach for many families, renters, and seniors in Saanich. We have a responsibility as government to act to make sure that the people who live and work here are able to find and afford a home in the capital region.B次元官网网址�
Weaver, for his part, has been critical of the tax and praised James for making various changes.
B次元官网网址淚n a minority government, we have an opportunity to do things differently by collaborating to improve public policy,B次元官网网址� he said in late March, after the provincial government had announced changes. B次元官网网址淲e worked hard to champion British ColumbiansB次元官网网址� concerns and bring forth evidence-based solutions to this policyB次元官网网址檚 shortcomings. We agree with the B.C. NDP that we need to take action to address speculation in our real estate market. However, we have been clear that we needed to see changes to this tax in order to support the forthcoming legislation.B次元官网网址�
Weaver, however, did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
The provincial government first announced the tax as part of its 2018 budget. The tax applies to most of Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District (excluding the Gulf Islands and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area), Kelowna-West Kelowna, Nanaimo-Lantzville (excluding Protection Island), Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission.
It requires B.C. residents to pay a tax of 0.5 per cent on second or vacation homes valued at $400,000 or above if their owners do not rent them out for at least six months of the year, for periods of at least 30 days. The provincial government exempt homes under $400,000 to ensure the tax that does not capture most cabins.
According to Statistics Canada, Saanich has more than 2,700 so-called empty homes B次元官网网址� about 5.6 per cent of the local housing stock.
