To the editor:
This is an open letter to Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister for Families, Children and Social
Development.
As the British Columbia consultations for the National Housing Strategy get underway in Vancouver and in Victoria, we encourage your government to work with us on strengthening and growing the middle class by partnering with us to address critical housing issues.
We welcome your government back to the table, as the issue of housing affordability requires co-ordinated action and a commitment from all levels of government. Since 2001, B.C. has invested $4.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
In order to continue this level of investment, it is vital appropriate and adequate funding from your government be available for new and existing affordable housing in B.C.
Rental housing construction largely dried up after federal tax changes decades ago. However, B.C. continued and continues to invest in housing to help those most in need, but we cannot do it alone. We need to encourage the private sector to contribute to building affordable units.
As a first step, we encourage Ottawa to restore appropriate tax measures that provide incentives for developers to build more rental housing.
Secondly, to ensure this endeavour is successful, federal land must be allocated in order for more affordable housing units to be built on those properties. This is a significant aspect of the overall affordable housing strategy.
I recognize Canada’s finance ministers recently discussed their concerns about tax auditing and potential money laundering in real estate. This discussion has been ongoing through the federal-provincial-municipal working group on housing affordability. We are encouraged the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is taking further steps to identify and pursue cases of tax evasion, but we suggest the CRA expedite timelines of implementation.
B.C. officials will continue to work closely with the CRA to share appropriate information, verify eligibility for programs, and ensure all taxpayers are paying their correct amount of tax.
The issue of housing affordability will require a number of innovative solutions, but by working with all levels of government, we are confident that solutions can be found.
Rich Coleman
Deputy Premier
Minister Responsible for Housing
