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1. In Florida, they’re snowbirds—in B.C., they’re ‘speculators’

   Heavy-handed policies such as B.C.’s “speculation” tax target symptoms rather than causes. ...

2. Empty Homes Tax—Vancouver City Hall barking up the wrong tree

   The City of Vancouver recently announced how many Vancouver homes are considered “unoccupied” and subject to the new Empty Homes Tax. As it turns out, very few homes qualify—meaning city hall should consider other ways to address ...

3. B.C. budget—housing plan anything but ‘comprehensive’

   The B.C. government’s 2018 budget was widely expected to include measures aimed at housing affordability in the province’s most expensive real estate markets. Unfortunately, the measures announced continue to target the symptoms rather ...

4. B.C. throne speech—government vows action on high house prices, but ignores their cause

   The British Columbia government dedicated a significant portion of its recent throne speech to “solutions for housing.” In particular, the speech focused on the “threat” posed by “speculators” and the need to spend more on social housing ...

5. Focus on foreign buyers overlooks source of most housing demand in Canada

   The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), partnering with Statistics Canada, recently released much-awaited data tracking the share of home ownership by non-residents (individuals whose principal dwelling is outside of Canada) ...

6. Ontario housing measures—short-term gain for long-term pain?

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, August 27, 2017 The Wynne government this summer introduced a raft of measures aimed at reining in the price of buying or renting a home in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). As laudable as this goal may be, the government’s ...

7. Falling interest rates—an often-overlooked contributor to rising home prices

   Appeared in the Vancouver Province, August 17, 2017 Despite recent measures taken by provincial governments in British Columbia and Ontario, house prices remain high in Canada’s most desirable markets. In fact, after a brief pause during the latter half ...

8. Ontario opposes foreign buyers tax, but housing affordability must be addressed

   Appeared in Toronto Sun, November 6, 2016 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has announced that the province will not introduce a property transfer tax on foreign buyers, similar to that introduced in British Columbia. The premier and her government should be ...

9. To address skyrocketing home prices, Ontario government could reduce barriers to building

   A recent Globe and Mail article highlighted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s concern regarding Toronto’s skyrocketing house prices. Indeed, the Canadian Real Estate Association reports a 117 per cent increase in home prices across the ...

10. Retroactive nature of new tax on foreign owners threatens rule of law, investment in B.C.

    Appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Aug. 5, 2016 Mike de Jong, B.C.’s finance minister, recently and unexpectedly announced an additional property transfer tax of 15 per cent on foreign nationals purchasing residential property in Metro Vancouver. Whatever the ...