The City of Vancouver has announced it will no longer accept cash payments of over $10,000, an effort to deter money laundering through City Hall.
The City said the $10,000 limit aligns with a federal reporting requirement by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to help identify and track potential money laundering.
The announcement comes after Councillor Melissa De Genova brought forward a motion Tuesday night based on concerns that people could pay taxes, fines and fees in cash — with no identification.
De Genova’s motion referenced a report commissioned by B.C.’s attorney general that says dirty money is often filtered through B.C. real estate.
“I’m hoping that other cities within our region will also look at their processes.”
WATCH: Vancouver councillor takes on money laundering at City Hall
However, De Genova said she brought up the same concerns at a Metro Vancouver council meeting, and councillors from other cities told her they were already cashless.
De Genova has brought forward this motion to Vancouver city council twice before, so she said she’s pleased that it passed unanimously this time.
“We have to also be accountable and transparent here, and I want to make sure we’re doing all that we can to deter that type of crime in the City of Vancouver,” De Genova said.
The City said it collected $2 billion last year in payments for city services such as permits, fines, licenses and taxes.
“Of this $2 billion, 0.6 per cent of the payments were in cash (approximately $13 million),” the City said in a release.
City staff will report back to council by the end of this year on measures to address potential money laundering in Vancouver.
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