Christy Clark hints at housing relief ‘front-and-centre’ for B.C. budget
VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s high housing costs are on the government’s radar as it prepares to table its budget next month, but Premier Christy Clark is ruling out luxury or speculation taxes to cool Vancouver’s hot market.
Clark said Tuesday housing-relief options are one of the top issues for her government, but she didn’t provide details beyond acknowledging the widespread real estate concerns of many British Columbians.
“We’re thinking of a whole range of things,” said Clark at a Vancouver news conference. “You’ll see more of it as we get closer to the (Feb. 16) budget.”
She said the government is considering measures that improve housing-market options for first-time home buyers but also retain the value of homes for current owners.