B.C. union's affordable housing plan proposes taxes targeting speculators - Action News
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British Columbia

B.C. union's affordable housing plan proposes taxes targeting speculators

One of B.C.s largest unions says it has developed a plan that could help combat a lack of affordable housing in the province. It's recommending several tax changes it says would help ease the stresses put on Metro Vancouvers housing market.

BCGEU plan recommends several tax reforms, legislative amendments and investments in public housing

The BCGEU is recommending several tax changes it says could help ease the affordability crisis in B.C.'s housing market. (Christer Waara/CBC)

One of British Columbia's largest unions has developed a plan it says could help combat a lack of affordable housing in the province.

The plan from the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) recommendsseveral tax changes the union says would assist in easingthe stresses put on Metro Vancouver's housing market.

The detailed housing strategy was released this week.

"Housing and property is being treated primarily as a financial asset rather than a place to live,"according to thereport,Building an Affordable B.C.

Proposed reforms

The proposed plan focuses on three main strategies: reforming property taxes, amending legislation and investing in public housing.

Paul Finch, the treasurer of the BCGEU, saidprogressive land value taxation is the key to cooling the housing market and building a more affordable B.C.

The union's plan includes a number of reforms that would tax developers and speculators when their land values risebecause of nearby public infrastructure projects like newtransit lines.

Theidea behind it, Finch explained, would be to capture some of the windfall gains on investment properties.

"Really, what is being taxed is the unearned income you're reaping on a higher level of value that basically you have done no work to achieve," Finch said.

"Across the board, the value is being driven up, and we need to look at what's driving it up."

The plan also proposes taxing speculators who hoard undeveloped land and defer development, applying a progressive surtax to annual property taxes, reforming property transfer taxes and the foreign buyers taxand taxing short term rentals.

The money gathered from the proposed tax changes would then be used to fund public housing and infrastructure.

"That's absolutely essential to the entire plan," Finch said. "In a tax grab situation, that would not be the case."

Government response

In response to the plan, Finance MinisterCarole James said the housing crisis in B.C. is one of the province's top priorities for the 2018 budget. She said she thanks the unionfor its work on the report.

"Together with the housing minister, I am working on a long-term, comprehensive housing strategy that addresses all aspects of the market," James said.

"We are looking at ways we can close speculation loopholes and improve fairness in the market, so that people can find affordable housing in the communities where they live and work."

So far, the Affordable B.C. Plan hasjust over 2,000 signatures on its petition. itsgoal is10,000.

To hear more from the interview with Paul Finch, click on the audio link below:

With files from The Early Edition.