Speculation tax levels the field

Dear editor: With all due respect regarding the letters and recent articles in the Herald about the ever increasing cost of housing and homelessness, I can only respond as follows. Everything stated is correct with one flaw, and that is if housing was more affordable in B.C. and, specifically the Interior, we would have the same financial input, except it would be local inhabitants who would be providing that input and it would be for 12 months of the year and not sporadically as is the case when it is only "visitors" who reside here part of the year.

I have no problem with those who can afford to own more than one property and I welcome them when they elect to spend part time in the location of their choice.

However I think they should be more accepting of the fact that they are likely much better off than those struggling to buy a home in the province where they reside and I wonder why they can't "buck up" and accept what would be a small hit to their pocketbook compared to local residents striving to live on much less and despairing as they see real estate prices rising beyond all reasonable abilities to own even one home?

In my opinion the speculation tax is only a small step in an effort to eliminate what is one of the worst social afflictions we deal with and feel that much more needs to done to to curb these inequities to level the playing field for the sake of everyone. Harry DeRosier

Summerland