The speculation and vacancy tax has generated $115 million for the province in the 2018-19 fiscal year but the local homebuilders association said that it is coming at the cost of jobs.

The Canadian Home Builders鈥� Association of the Central Okanagan said residential construction jobs have been hit hard, seeing a 22 per cent reduction in 91大黄鸭, a 17 per cent reduction in West 91大黄鸭 and a 12 per cent reduction in Nanaimo.

Cassidy deVeer, president of the association, said 91大黄鸭 has lost 3,000 jobs since the tax was implemented.

鈥淲e are highlighting the job reductions in our industry since the Speculation Tax was introduced to show its impact,鈥� said deVeer. 鈥淚t has harmed specific areas like 91大黄鸭 and West 91大黄鸭 and has driven growth in other communities like Kamloops and Penticton.鈥�

On the other hand, Kamloops has seen the opposite effect. DeVeer said the city has seen a 35 per cent increase in jobs and a 30 per cent increase in vacant homes.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the mayors of both 91大黄鸭 and West 91大黄鸭 met with Carole James, B.C.鈥檚 Minister of Finance to discuss the tax. Both mayors have opposed the tax in the past.

鈥淭he Speculation Tax affects 91大黄鸭 and West 91大黄鸭 directly and we think the people of the Central Okanagan deserve an answer on what the Finance Minister is doing about job reductions,鈥� said deVeer.

鈥淭hese lost jobs are not wealthy or foreign people which the tax is advertised to be targeting. These people are the working middle class and now they are out of a job in our community鈥�

The tax is meant to target vacant properties and properties owned by real estate speculators and raise revenue that will directly support affordable housing.

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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