The B.C. NDP has imposed a discriminating “head tax” equivalent in the form of the speculation tax on non-primary resident Canadian B.C. property owners. Canadian citizens who contribute to both the federal and provincial economies through a variety of taxes have been shuffled into the lineup alongside offshore property speculators and money launderers. We are the low-hanging fruit with no voting rights — and therefore easy pickings.
Non-permanent B.C. resident property owners are not a burden; we are a B.C. bargain. Whether or not we are able to reside for extended periods in B.C. our money continues to flow monthly into B.C. government coffers in the form of property taxes and strata fees.
Forcing us to sell the property in which we had hoped to retire because of our fixed income inability to pay the additional speculation tax is discriminatory and will have no effect on increasing affordable housing in British Columbia.
Harry B. Chase
Calgary