To the editor:
A very recent survey, conducted in late May, indicated that up to one-third of the people in B.C. would leave the province due to the high costs
of living. For younger people the rate was even higher and more than 50 per cent.
of living. For younger people the rate was even higher and more than 50 per cent.
In the first week of June, after the survey was done, property tax bills went out. Even if your
assessment went down, your tax bill increased between 20 to 30 per cent for
most people.
assessment went down, your tax bill increased between 20 to 30 per cent for
most people.
Since your property tax is a large part of your annual housing costs, I wonder if the percentage of people wanting to leave the province would be even higher.
Those increased housing related costs will affect not only home owners, especially people with fixed incomes,
but also renters, who will feel that increase as well.
but also renters, who will feel that increase as well.
So it is no wonder that in 2023 BC lost more than 8,000 people. It also makes me wonder what that number will be for 2024 - 80,000 or more?
After all, B.C. has taxes that no other province has.
Remember the joke from people who live elsewhere. B.C. stands for 'Bring Cash'.
Martin Holzbauer,
Martin Holzbauer,
Thornhill, B.C.
