Tax unconstitutional?

I share many of the same concerns other people have expressed about the unintended consequences from the Speculation Tax. While I recognize there are low vacancy rates in Kelowna, I believe there other ways to address the issue starting with reducing regulations to allow more homes to be built. Why doesn’t the NDP government offer incentives to homeowners to rent through tax cuts? They may be surprised what this approach could do to alleviate the problem.

I also believe that the NDP’s actions could be unconstitutional, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it protects the mobility rights of Canadian citizens which include the right to enter, remain in, and leave Canada. Citizens and Permanent Residents have the ability to move to and take up residence in any province to pursue gaining livelihood. How does the Speculation Tax provide the ability for out of province Canadians that mobility?

We have also heard that Whistler was exempt from the tax because its could negatively impact their tourism business. The Okanagan (including Kelowna and West Kelowna) rely heavily on tourism, this includes wineries, restaurants, seasonal businesses, airlines, car rentals and the list goes on. I do not see any difference.

Finally, there are many examples of out of province parents who were planning to move to Kelowna in the near future and bought a home to have their children live there while going to college/university. These parents will have to pay the Speculation Tax to have their children live there. How does that make sense? It doesn’t and it preposterous.

The NDP government needs to listen to its citizens, local businesses and politicians and drop this tax.

Dallas Zimmer