A year after the New Democrats vowed to change the electoral system and six months after they launched the enabling legislation to do so, the B.C. Liberals this week sought key details about the fall referendum. They got no answers, only pushback from Attorney General David Eby, the NDP’s purported “neutral” arbiter on what is Read More…
BC assumes most of the risks but gets few of the benefits. That’s been the main argument against the $7.4 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in B.C. from the beginning – an argument that was used even by the former BC Liberal government, before it granted its support, after Kinder Morgan Canada (TSX:KML) agreed Read More…
On Sunday, Kinder Morgan announced it was suspending non-essential work and spending on the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project. It’s a decision with potentially serious consequences for hard-working British Columbians, from our tourism to trucking sectors. Our society runs on Alberta fuel — we need it to get to work, get our kids to school Read More…
Traditionally, finance ministers buy new shoes before a budget. Carole James ordered army boots. The first boot was called the “speculation tax.” Wrong words. It is a frontal attack on private property, hitting foreigners and Canadians equally. There is so much dust in the air that the outcome is unclear at the moment. For sure, Read More…
Dear Mr. Horgan, Having read much of the back-and-forth from both sides on this tax, and giving consideration to the macro-consequences of its potential, I felt compelled to share my views on your proposed “speculation” tax with the government before finalization of details and/or implementation of the tax (or some derivation of it). I have Read More…
The BC NDP’s recently-introduced raft of new housing taxes is shaping up to be a political and economic train wreck that will only make housing even less affordable for British Columbians. Let’s start with the new so-called “Speculation Tax.” Most British Columbians can support the concept of a new 2% annual tax being levied on Read More…
Vancouver gas prices were already the highest in North America even before the latest price spikes cranked up the pain at the pumps to excruciating levels. Now get set for an even harsher whack to your wallet, as British Columbia’s carbon tax is scheduled to jump on April 1. The carbon tax will rise 1.11 Read More…
The NDP’s “speculation tax” on real estate is really nothing of the sort when you consider who’s getting whacked with the new tax — and who isn’t. Premier John Horgan promised during last year’s election to crack down on foreign property flippers who use the real-estate market like their own personal Monopoly game. The NDP’s Read More…
B.C. businesses were shell-shocked by a $4.2-billion tax wallop inflicted by Finance Minister Carole James in Tuesday’s budget. That’s how much money the B.C. government will extract over three years from businesses under a new “Employer Health Tax” to replace phased-out Medical Service Plan premiums. “This is a hammer that came down that we didn’t Read More…
West Kelowna – By pushing BC wine producers into the cross-fire of his self-inflicted trade war with Alberta, John Horgan is putting at risk thousands of jobs and small businesses – prompting many to wonder which industry will be next. “The premier has stumbled into this reckless trade war with Alberta, he’s the one who Read More…