Skip to Main content

22.47°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 23, 2023 5:37 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C's speculation tax on homes expands by 13 new municipalities

Share On

b-cs-speculation-tax-on-homes-expands-by-13-new-municipalities

One of British Columbia's first measures to combat the housing crisis is being expanded to include 13 more communities (Photo :The Canadian Press )

One of British Columbia's first measures to combat the housing crisis is being expanded to include 13 more communities.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says the New Democrat government's speculation and vacancy tax will now apply to 59 B.C. cities and towns. Vernon, Penticton, Courtenay and Kamloops are among the 13 communities that have been added, and starting in 2025 residential property owners will have to declare how they used the home in 2024.

The levy aims to get more people into empty homes and has collected $313 million since it was first introduced in 2018. Conroy says independent data found the speculation tax helped increase the available rental stock in Metro Vancouver in 2020 by 20,000 units.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the government's recent legislation restricting short-term rental accommodations in B.C. is already showing increases in long-term rental listings in Kelowna and Victoria despite the law not taking affect until May 2024.

Latest news

different-impaired-dump-truck-driver-same-company

Bad déjà vu: Different impaired dump truck driver, same company

A dump truck was impounded for 30-days, the driver was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and multiple violation tickets were issued after another impaired investigation involving a commercial vehicle. On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Burnaby RCMP’s designated commercial vehicle enforcement officer was driving behind a loaded dump truck travelling southbound on Boundary Road in the left lane. In a short period of time, the officer observed the commercial vehicle cross over the centre line and swerve into the right lane several times. The dump truck was also observed hitting the raised centre medi

brampton-mayor-patrick-brown-receives-death-threat

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown Receives Death Threat

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown recently received a death threat. Following this, Brown and his family were also given police security. According to sources, the threat was made to the mayor’s office via email two to three weeks ago and also mentioned his wife and son. Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said at a separate press conference that police are investigating the matter, in which the threat was made not only to the mayor but also to his family. Milinovich said that given the nature of the threat, we felt it was appropriate to provide him with police protection. Accor

peel-police-take-down-organized-crime-group-behind-home-invasions

CanadaJul 15, 2025

Project ghost: peel police take down organized crime group behind home invasions

Peel Regional Police’s Central Robbery Bureau has taken down an organized criminal network responsible for more than 15 violent home invasions involving high-end vehicle and jewellery thefts across the Greater Toronto Area. Project Ghost was initiated when a criminal network was identified to be connected to the following violent incidents: On Aug. 1, 2024, at about 2:45 a.m., three suspects attempted to break into a home on Maybeck Drive in Brampton after targeting a BMW parked in the driveway. The suspects fled in a white Acura after failing to gain entry. About 30 minutes later, the same

Police seeking information on two assault investigations

Prince George RCMP is currently seeking witnesses to a pair of assaults that occurred on July 4, 2025. The initial investigation began just after 4:00 a.m. when a witness reported seeing a man get hit over the head with a baseball bat near the 100-block of George Street. When police officers attended, neither the victim nor the assailant were able to be located. “Surveillance from this initial investigation shows a man wearing a black jacket, white t-shirt and black pants get assaulted by another man wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt and jeans. We are looking to speak with anyone who m

integrated-emergency-response-team-called-in-to-assist-langley-rcmp

Integrated emergency response team called in to assist Langley RCMP

On July 14, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report that a man had discharged a firearm within a residence located in the 26400 block of 29B Avenue, Langley. Due to the nature of the incident, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT) was deployed to the scene. Officers contained the area and engaged in negotiations with the suspect, resulting in a standoff that lasted several hours. While working to de-escalate the situation, the suspect discharged a firearm at the IERT Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) from inside the residence. At approx

Related News

Bad déjà vu: Different impaired dump truck driver, same company

Bad déjà vu: Different impaired dump truck driver, same company

A dump truck was impounded for 30-days, the driver was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and multiple violation tickets were issued after another impaired investigation involving a commercial vehicle. On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Burnaby RCMP’s designated commercial vehicle enforcement officer was driving behind a loaded dump truck travelling southbound on Boundary Road in the left lane. In a short period of time, the officer observed the commercial vehicle cross over the centre line and swerve into the right lane several times. The dump truck was also observed hitting the raised centre medi

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown Receives Death Threat

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown Receives Death Threat

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown recently received a death threat. Following this, Brown and his family were also given police security. According to sources, the threat was made to the mayor’s office via email two to three weeks ago and also mentioned his wife and son. Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said at a separate press conference that police are investigating the matter, in which the threat was made not only to the mayor but also to his family. Milinovich said that given the nature of the threat, we felt it was appropriate to provide him with police protection. Accor

Project ghost: peel police take down organized crime group behind home invasions

Project ghost: peel police take down organized crime group behind home invasions

Peel Regional Police’s Central Robbery Bureau has taken down an organized criminal network responsible for more than 15 violent home invasions involving high-end vehicle and jewellery thefts across the Greater Toronto Area. Project Ghost was initiated when a criminal network was identified to be connected to the following violent incidents: On Aug. 1, 2024, at about 2:45 a.m., three suspects attempted to break into a home on Maybeck Drive in Brampton after targeting a BMW parked in the driveway. The suspects fled in a white Acura after failing to gain entry. About 30 minutes later, the same

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital