B.C. citizens in favour of absentee home tax, says new poll

Whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, of European or East Asian descent, you likely want a tax on absentee home owners.

At least, that’s the findings of a new Insights West poll on the concept, which has been floated by local economists and the City of Vancouver this year.

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“All age groups, all three household incomes levels, all ethnicities are supportive of this idea,” said Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, at Insights West.

In the online survey, 80 per cent were in favour of a tax on people who acquire properties but don’t live there, compared to 73 per cent last year.

The highest groups in favour were people between the ages of 18 and 34 (89 per cent), while the lowest was people who lived on Vancouver Island (65 per cent).

But the idea has an overwhelming support regardless of age, gender, income, or ethnicity – 83 per cent of East Asians and 80 per cent of South Asians agreed with the idea.

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“It is important to note that the level of dissatisfaction with the way the provincial government has handled this file includes three-in-four homeowners and residents aged 55 and over, as well as four-in-five Metro Vancouverites and high-income earners,” said Canseco.

When the poll was brought up by reporters to Premier Christy Clark at an event today, she gave no hints that any change in the provincial government’s stance would be immediately forthcoming.

“There are a lot of reasons why people will say their home was vacant for a while, or live in two places,” said Clark.

“When you are the person who have that investment in their home, you don’t want government to do anything that’s going to hurt your investment.”