UBCM Resolutions etc.

By jeff magel Black Press Sep 30 2007

Civic leaders can usually come up with long lists of how the province could make their lives easier. This Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver is no different and one of the suggestions that got the loudest applause Tuesday was the concept of eliminating the property tax that goes to school districts. With a stroke of the pen, it was argued, the provincial government could eliminate a tax on local residents. "It is the simplest thing to do," said Kelowna Coun. Barrie Clark. "It could be done tomorrow." The unspoken motive: killing school taxes would free up extra room for cities to raise their own property taxes to cover infrastructure needs or transit.

By jeff nagel Black Press Sep 30 2007 Action on housing sought

B.C. cities will campaign for changes to entice developers to build more rental housing. Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver passed a resolution calling for Ottawa to pass a series of tax reforms advocates say would help put up new apartments or other units. Purpose-built rental housing is gradually disappearing, advocates said, and many older buildings are nearing the end of their life spans. "There is no incentive to rebuild them," said Vancouver Coun. Suzanne Anton. Reduced GST on rental housing, capital gains deferrals, and allowing rental investors to qualify for small business deductions are among the measures proposed.

Also passed Wednesday were resolutions that called on Ottawa and Victoria to provide more funding for floods and disasters relief and prevention, and to ban high-risk offenders from living in the town they committed crimes after release from prison.