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1. U.S. cities increase affordability while housing costs rise in Canada’s major centres

   In some Canadian cities, housing costs grew more than 50 per cent faster than incomes. ...

2. Tax discrepancies hurt renters in major Canadian cities

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, May 6, 2020 The COVID pandemic has impacted virtually every aspect of the Canadian economy, including the ability of renters to pay rent. The situation underscores a longstanding, yet little known, issue—the disproportionate ...

3. Lessons on land-use regulations from the 2008-09 recession

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, April 8, 2020 Canadians have become accustomed to robust home-price appreciation in recent years, notably in southern regions of Ontario and British Columbia. Things look far less certain these days, thanks largely to the ...

4. Two proposed projects—one in Ontario, one in B.C.—throw renters a lifeline

   In the greater Toronto and Vancouver areas, rents keep rising and rental vacancies remain low. ...

5. Despite residential hike, Vancouver businesses still disproportionately shoulder property tax burden

   Appeared in Business in Vancouver, February 11, 2020 Thanks to a city council vote in December, Vancouver homeowners face a seven per cent property tax increase this year—the highest in recent years—which city staff say will add an extra $100 to $200 to a ...

6. Ontario won’t be ‘open for business’ without business property tax reform

   Appeared in the Globe and Mail, January 4, 2020 The Ford government wants to project its “open for business” ethos in 2020 and beyond. Indeed, Queen’s Park recently focused heavily on business competitiveness in its fall economic statement, announcing a ...

7. Property tax rates much higher for businesses than residents—which can cause serious problems

   Appeared in the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, November 23, 2019 When homeowners receive their annual property tax bill from city hall, they’re likely unaware that the shop down the street pays a higher property tax rate—probably much higher. For ...

8. Property tax rates in Calgary and Edmonton much higher for businesses than residents

   Appeared in the Calgary Sun, November 21, 2019 In recent years, Calgary has learned the hard way about relying too heavily on the commercial property tax base to fund local services. Due to the significant drop in downtown commercial real estate values, ...

9. Squamish Nation’s bold housing plans put Vancouver City Hall to shame

   Appeared in the Globe and Mail, November 7, 2019 What happens when you remove onerous regulations that prevent new homes from getting built where they’re needed most? Just ask the Squamish Nation, which recently doubled the size of a planned residential ...

10. Property tax imbalance erodes political accountability, discourages business investment

    Appeared in the Fredericton Daily Gleaner, October 31, 2019 In many cities and towns across Canada, residential properties are increasing in value, while some local businesses are struggling to survive. There are different reasons for this development ...