Losing homeowners grant hits hard at retirement time
Re: Homeowners brace as B.C. Assessment 2017 valuations go online, Jan. 3
I just read the article on the new tax assessments. I took a look at the assessment online for our average, modest, 30-year-old Burnaby home. Our property assessment went up by $400,000 in one year, and as a result we have lost our homeowners grant. Having just retired, and with my husband about to retire, our grant was important to us, now and in the future.
Yes, I understand that I can defer taxes, but I view this as gambling with the value of our home. Having lived through the plunging values of the 1980s, I am unwilling to do that.
I am especially irate at the fact that the provincial Liberal government has chosen to hand out “loans” to first-time homebuyers, using tax money that will be gathered at the expense of longtime residents and seniors. I am encouraging everyone I know to write to their MLA. One thing politicians understand is losing an election, and I think Christy Clark just lost her next one.
Katy Alkins-Jang, Burnaby
Low taxes benefit Horgan
Re: Clark on the offensive with timely ad blitz, Column, Dec. 29
It is time for NDP Leader John Horgan to face the fact that B.C. taxpayers pay the second-lowest provincial income taxes in the country. Horgan is paid a taxpayer-funded salary of $156,014.49 per year — $104,009.66 for his MLA salary and an additional $52,004.83 for the job of official Opposition leader.
With an annual income of $156,014.49, Horgan would pay provincial income taxes of $15,647 in B.C., $16,282 in Alberta, $19,961 in Saskatchewan, $23,426 in Manitoba, $14,099 in Ontario, $40,173 in Quebec, $22,920 in Prince Edward Island, $23,900 in Nova Scotia, $22,785 in New Brunswick, and $20,481 in Newfoundland. John also benefits from the additional two-per-cent discount applied to all B.C. citizens with a yearly income over $106,543.
Joe Sawchuk, Duncan
Make services affordable
The year 2017 will greet us with increases in medical premiums, ICBC rates, transit fares and probably many others. Nevertheless, our premier is hinting that the provincial “surplus” may be used to cut taxes. Is this a bit of “trickle back?” Am I supposed to be grateful? Instead of electioneering, why not show care and consideration for the people who chose to elect this government by making these very important services more affordable. Valorie Watson, Osoyoos
We need to balance budget
When the NDP took power in 1991, our provincial debt was $17 billion. Ten years later when the Liberals took over, it was $33.5 billion. Almost double. Scary, huh? From 2001 to July 2013, it rose to $57 billion — an increase of only $24 billion, not bad for 12 years, but still $24 billion more. It’s only $2 billion a year.
But Christy Clark has increased the debt by $9 billion in just three and a half years. That’s $214 million per month. So the Liberals are now on par with the NDP — each party has grown our debt by $33 billion.
Clark will tell you that we have one of the lowest debts in Canada. We in fact are fifth. Hardly the lowest. Whichever party gets elected, we need one with fiscal responsibility. I belong to no political party, and just want a leader who can create a balanced budget. A real balanced budget where all provincial expenses match the income.
Ted Taylor, Surrey