Skip to Main content

15.85°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

AlbertaMay 27, 2026

Alberta judge calls for stronger vaccination outreach, improved housing conditions after death of First Nations boy

A provincial court judge is recommending stronger vaccination campaigns and action on overcrowded housing conditions following the 2020 death of a six-year-old Indigenous boy in northern Alberta. In a fatality inquiry report released Tuesday, provincial court Justice Claus Thietke said the boy died on Nov. 13, 2020, at a local nursing station after experiencing abdominal pain and hours of vomiting. Evidence presented during the inquiry found meningococcus bacteria in the child’s bloodstream caused an infection that led to organ failure. According to the report, the boy lived with about 20 re

ottawa-enters-negotiations-with-saab-for-airborne-surveillance-fleet-carney-says

CanadaMay 27, 2026

Ottawa enters negotiations with Saab for airborne surveillance fleet, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is entering contract negotiations with Swedish defence company Saab to acquire a new fleet of airborne surveillance aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The federal government has previously said it plans to procure six radar-equipped aircraft intended to strengthen Canada’s aerospace surveillance capabilities and support continental defence operations. According to Carney, the aircraft are needed to address emerging threats, including hypersonic missile technology. Saab manufactures the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in partnersh

WorldMay 27, 2026

Gaza strike kills senior Hamas military commander, Israeli military says

A strike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed Mohammed Odeh, a commander linked to Hamas’s military wing, according to the Israeli military and local family members. Local doctors and witnesses said at least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured after a residential building in Gaza City was struck in one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods. In a statement, the Israeli military said the operation targeted buildings allegedly being used by Odeh as hiding locations. Israeli officials said the strike followed months of intelligence monitoring and tracking of Odeh’s movements

alberta-constitutional-affairs-adviser-jason-stephan-resigns-from-role

AlbertaMay 26, 2026

Alberta constitutional affairs adviser Jason Stephan resigns from role

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says Jason Stephan has resigned as the government’s parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs. Stephan, the United Conservative Party MLA for Red Deer-South, remains a member of the government caucus, according to the premier’s office. No reason was provided for the resignation, which the office said was submitted earlier this year. The constitutional affairs advisory role was created by the Alberta government last year and was described at the time as “critically important” to advancing the province’s interests in federal-provincial re

firearms-prohibited-weapons-seized-after-lake-country-rcmp-search-warrant

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Lake Country RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms, including prohibited and restricted weapons, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 12000 block of Shoreline Drive on May 25. According to an RCMP news release, the warrant was obtained following reports that a firearm had been discharged in a Lake Country neighbourhood earlier this month. The search was carried out with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Police said officers seized eight firearms along with ammunition from the property. The residence was unoccupied at the time the war

Related News

Ottawa enters negotiations with Saab for airborne surveillance fleet, Carney says

Ottawa enters negotiations with Saab for airborne surveillance fleet, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is entering contract negotiations with Swedish defence company Saab to acquire a new fleet of airborne surveillance aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The federal government has previously said it plans to procure six radar-equipped aircraft intended to strengthen Canada’s aerospace surveillance capabilities and support continental defence operations. According to Carney, the aircraft are needed to address emerging threats, including hypersonic missile technology. Saab manufactures the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in partnersh

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Lake Country RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms, including prohibited and restricted weapons, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 12000 block of Shoreline Drive on May 25. According to an RCMP news release, the warrant was obtained following reports that a firearm had been discharged in a Lake Country neighbourhood earlier this month. The search was carried out with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Police said officers seized eight firearms along with ammunition from the property. The residence was unoccupied at the time the war

Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Surrey

Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Surrey

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Surrey that left one person injured Sunday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, officers were called at about 7:34 p.m. on May 25 to a residence in the 12200 block of Southpark Crescent following reports of a suspicious man. Police said the man confronted responding officers after they arrived at the scene. Officers then discharged their service-issued firearms. Surrey Police Service officers and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics provided emergency medical treatment befo

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital