Letter from Mayor Nils Jensen, District of Oak Bay re: Local Government Vacancy Levy
Request for support for a UBCM resolution to empower local governments to collect a levy on vacant residential properties.
August 31, 2018
Dear Mayor and Council:
Re: Local Government Vacancy Levy – District of Oak Bay
As Mayor of the Corporation of the District of Oak Bay, I will be introducing selected issue A3 (page 96 of the 2018 UBCM Annual Report & Resolutions) regarding modification of the Speculation Tax at the upcoming UBCM resolutions session.
“...Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to modify the approach in the current proposed Speculation Tax to empower local governments to collect a levy on vacant residential properties and to require local governments that choose to impose such a levy to invest the revenues in non-market housing.”.
As a voting delegate, I’m hoping you will support this resolution.
I look forward to seeing you in Whistler.
Best regards,
Mayor Nils Jensen
enclosure
Local Government Vacancy Levy – District of Oak Bay
WHEREAS vacant residential properties are not in the best interests of BC communities;
AND WHEREAS local governments are best placed to determine the nature and extent of the adverse impacts of vacant residential properties and to administer exemptions based on local needs;
AND WHEREAS a levy administered and retained by local government on vacant residential properties can be a way to encourage the availability of more rental accommodations;
AND WHEREAS revenues from such a levy on vacant residential properties would assist a local government directly or through regional pooling to create and encourage non-market housing:
THEREFFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Province to modify the approach in the current proposed Speculation Tax to empower local government to collect a levy on vacant residential properties and to require local governments that choose to impose such a levy to invest the revenues in non-market housing.
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