B.C. municipalities seek to tweak speculation tax

Municipalities and regional districts across B.C. are asking the provincial government to leave it up to them to decide whether to opt in or out of the controversial speculation tax, or come up with their own levy on vacant properties.

“This is a critical issue for British Columbians — it’s not just a housing issue, it’s directly tied to our economy,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen, whose council has put forward a resolution on the topic that will be considered at this year’s Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.

The speculation tax was announced in February’s provincial budget and would apply to homeowners in six regional districts or municipalities who don’t live in a property or rent it out long-term.

Starting next year, property owners would be taxed 0.5 per cent of assessed value for 2018, increasing to two per cent of assessed value in 2019 for foreign investors and satellite families, one per cent for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who don’t live in B.C., and 0.5 per cent for B.C. residents who are citizens or permanent residents. There are some exemptions.

The areas affected are Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Capital and Nanaimo regional districts, along with the municipalities of Kelowna and West Kelowna.

The legislation to enable the tax will be up for a vote in the legislature this fall.

“There is certainly some pushback in certain areas of the province on that front,” said Wendy Booth, president of the UBCM and a Regional District of East Kootenay Area F director.

In its resolution, Oak Bay is asking for a modification to the speculation tax that would allow local governments to collect a levy on vacant properties and require that those municipalities that do collect, use the revenues for nonmarket housing.

“We recognize the government’s goals in the speculation tax, making sure that there is housing availability by reducing the number of empty or vacant homes, and also the need to deal with the affordability issue,” Jensen said.

“We felt that should be done by allowing local governments who know their own communities to determine how best to achieve these goals.”

Jensen described such a change to the speculation tax as “a course alteration” and said it could be done in a short amount of time so the legislation could still be considered this fall.

He said he hopes the resolution — which the UBCM resolutions committee has recommended be endorsed — receives widespread support at the conference.

“No solution is going to be perfect . ... This is at least trying to steer a course that will have significant support in all of the local governments.”

Other municipalities and regional districts have also put forward resolutions urging the province to consult with communities and allow them to opt in or out of the tax.

The Lower Mainland Local Government Association wants B.C. to delay introduction of the tax in communities if requested, develop measures to address the speculation problem and provide enabling legislation to allow municipalities to deal with such problems.

The association includes the local governments in the Metro, Fraser Valley and Squamish-Lillooet regional districts.

Jack Crompton, president of the Lower Mainland LGA and a councillor in Whistler, said the association’s primary concern was a lack of consultation with local governments.

“Our membership is diverse, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t take that difference seriously,” he said. “We know our context, we understand our region, and we are on the ground and believe strongly that provincial policy that is applied within municipalities without local government consultation often doesn’t deliver successful policy.”