Can’t survive on seasonal residents

Dear editor: Re: Albertans are far from foreigners, Herald, Letters, March 13

The proposed new tax is not eliminating the desire for people to live and reside in the Okanagan. However, it increases the ability for those to afford living where they work.

If you do not reside locally for at least 80 per cent of the year, that indicates your fortunate circumstances allow you to afford world travel.

Those that can afford to own a second or third property will need to pay more, a lot more than a local.

These homeowners that live year round are spending significantly more in the local economy than a part-time home owner. Putting their children into schools and going to local restaurants even in the winter.

There are new Okanagan residents, previous residents of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, that have greatly benefited from a housing demand explosion; and can easily afford the relative affordability of the Okanagan.?

Our local businesses need year round customers and sales, not just for three or four months in the summer.

If it’s any consolation to those families who have owned property here for 10 years or more and decide to sell, the profit from your home sale will pay for your vacations and visits for decades to come.

Joshua A. Smith

Naramata