Vancouver mayor pushes B.C. to tax empty homes or he will act alone
Vancouver’s mayor says he’s prepared to go it alone if the British Columbia government doesn’t help boost the city’s near-zero vacancy rate by establishing a tax on empty homes as leverage against property investors.
Gregor Robertson announced Wednesday that he wants to give the province a deadline of Aug. 1 to join the city on a vacancy tax.
“The city will take action on taxing empty homes, with or without the help of the B.C. government,” Robertson said ahead of a session next week when council will consider a report on taxing options.
He said Vancouver faces an “urgent” affordability crisis and a rental vacancy of 0.6 per cent.