Weighing in on Richmond’s ‘poor’

Re: Ritzy neighbourhood where many are ‘poor,’ June 15

In addition to not paying their fair share of taxes for social services, the “strategic” reporting of all income by the obviously wealthy immigrant homeowners also has negative impacts on ethnic relationships. Research stating this area of Richmond has “the most expensive homes and the second highest level of household poverty” increases anger and resentment. In the Lower Mainland where most people are struggling with the high cost of living, no wonder reports such as this make the blood boil. More importantly, are the provincial and federal governments doing anything about the blatant under-reporting of global income? SUZANNE CLARK Delta

A dark side of Lower Mainland real estate price is the effect it has on fixed income tax payers. Perhaps the B.C. government needs to take another look at adding the residential utilities bill to the property tax deferment program. In some neighbourhoods the combined savings can be upward of $10,000 per year. A deferment requires payment of these funds, plus a one per cent interest charge on the taxes deferred when property title changes. JIM MACOMBER Garibaldi Highlands

The Thompson neighbourhood of Richmond has the second highest level of household poverty in Richmond. It also has a lot of large houses. More than six out of 10 Richmond residents were born outside of Canada. How does that lead to the conclusion that many residents of that neighbourhood are under reporting their global income to Canadian tax officials and not paying their fair share of taxes? That is called speculation or even perhaps libel.

There are other possible explanations for the situation. Perhaps there are a lot of wealthy retired people in the neighbourhood who are gradually liquidating their assets to support their lifestyles. GARTH M. EVANS Vancouver