When the New Democrats recruited four academics to vet the public consultations on electoral reform, they asked them to take a vow of silence about the government’s methods, process and findings. “You are one of four academics invited to provide advice and would be...

In an April 5 opinion piece published in this paper, SFU assistant professor Josh Gordon argued that the NDP government’s revised Speculation Tax was “essential for housing affordability” in B.C.’s main urban centres. He went on to write: “If critics of the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...