Financial advantage

Although I am not in favour of  taxes, especially house taxes, I am okay with the recent NDP Speculation Tax, albeit far from perfect. The worst part of the Speculation Tax, in my opinion, is that it should only apply to non-Canadian citizens, but until there are effective amendments put forward, we have a beginning framework to build on. 

The Speculation Tax is at least trying to address concerns British Columbians have towards affordable housing not just for themselves but for their children as well. There will be grumblings from the select few who now feel the financial pinch that our provincial government bestow on them to cough up a bit more green and that is understandable. However, If you are from Alberta, please keep your grumblings to a minimum. Albertans do not have  to pay a provincial sales tax (7%) on anything they buy there, Albertans technically have 7% more disposable income than other Canadians, thus, giving Albertans a financial advantage in saving power and perhaps a financial advantage in the BC real-estate market. 

Until the Provincial tax playing fields are all equaled throughout this wonderful country, then please don’t complain about BC taxes if you are not from BC. We have enough problems with our own Kelowna City Council increasing our municipal taxes because they are flogging away public lands, building unneeded roads, extending grants, giving tax breaks, re-zoning lakefronts and any variance or re-zoning request to the very developers who are building those Spec homes.

If our own municipal government is going to give developers the golden goose, and they are, then it’s a good thing the Provincial government has the smarts to collect some of the eggs!

Roberto Basso