New BC Political Discussion - POST BC Election 2017

[Docere]

Originally Posted by s211

Seriously.... taxing anything inland in resort-oriented areas is largely just a mean-spirited and underhanded way of sniping at Albertans.

I know, let's not tax on rich white people, just rich Asians.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Docere

I know, let's not tax on rich white people, just rich Asians.

I think you mean rich non-Canadians.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by Docere

I know, let's not tax on rich white people, just rich Asians.

Literally nothing to do with it.

I resent every single one of you trying to make this issue about race.

[Tourist9394]

You know what the problem we have in North America: In the old world we are building infrastructure, in the new world you are building walls.

"And the world needs more of Canada"

No we don't, please don't spread Canadian values elsewhere, it is a disgrace to the pioneers of Canada.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

You know what the problem we have in North America: In the old world we are building infrastructure, in the new world you are building walls.

"And the world needs more of Canada"

No we don't, please don't spread Canadian values elsewhere, it is a disgrace to the pioneers of Canada.

WTF are you talking about?

[Tourist9394]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

WTF are you talking about?

You Canadian middle class cry babies are complaining about Syrian refugees who are living off government benefits. And complain about those rich millionaire Mainland Chinese immigrants for not paying enough taxes. Look at the mirror your self.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

You Canadian middle class cry babies are complaining about Syrian refugees who are living off government benefits. And complain about those rich millionaire Mainland Chinese immigrants for not paying enough taxes. Look at the mirror your self.

Because Canada is rich we shouldn't demand that wealthy immigrants pay a fair share of taxes to support the social safety net, services and infrastructure?

Right now, the bulk of government tax income comes from income tax, so "satellite families" don't really pay much tax aside from property tax. Property tax doesn't cover the cost of much that the government does.

I pay $20K+ a year income taxes, why shouldn't I complain when people sitting on millions in assets pay much less in tax and drive the cost of living up to ridiculous levels.

You have no idea how much of a trope you are.

[Tourist9394]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Because Canada is rich we shouldn't demand that wealthy immigrants pay a fair share of taxes to support the social safety net, services and infrastructure?

Right now, the bulk of government tax income comes from income tax, so "satellite families" don't really pay much tax aside from property tax. Property tax doesn't cover the cost of much that the government does.

I pay $20K+ a year income taxes, why shouldn't I complain when people sitting on millions in assets pay much less in tax and drive the cost of living up to ridiculous levels.

You have no idea how much of a trope you are.

I pay the same as you 20K last year in income tax, you don't see me crying. I work hard for my money, I am also happy that the immigrants who bring money over and pay property taxes. They may pay less income tax, but they also consume more in luxury items and experiences in which they have to pay up to 10% GST or PST. Very beneficial to the BC economy. I ain't jealous of these immigrants as we have all been there before. What happened to Canadian value of building an inclusive society? It is inclusive not communist. I smell sour grapes and jealousy.

[GlassCity]

For the average person, being priced out of the housing market is a significant net economical detriment when compared to the marginal benefits they may feel from this additional "investment."

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

I pay the same as you 20K last year in income tax, you don't see me crying. I work hard for my money, I am also happy that the immigrants who bring money over and pay property taxes. They may pay less income tax, but they also consume more in luxury items and experiences in which they have to pay up to 10% GST or PST. Very beneficial to the BC economy. I ain't jealous of these immigrants as we have all been there before. What happened to Canadian value of building an inclusive society? It is inclusive not communist. I smell sour grapes and jealousy.

... and you are not upset with how little that much income buys in a city with plenty of room, low average income and not a very large population?

$100K+ annual income puts you above 90th percentile are far as incomes go. The median household in Canada has less than $400K in assets. So a house in Vancouver is at minimum 3x the median average net worth of an average Canadian family. Super inclusive!

The investor immigrant program was all about helping foster industry, growing jobs and spreading prosperity. Instead, it's resulted in rampant speculation, growing inequality, and wealth concentration. This is pretty much the opposite of Canadian values. Perhaps laissez faire America would support this and some kind of twisted ideal, but you've got to be kidding if you think this is representative of this country.

I'd also say that ironically, the rampant cost of living in Vancouver is driving well paying jobs out of the city because the workers can't afford to live here.

A person would also have to spend about $166,000 on taxable goods to pay what I pay in income taxes. That's a lot of luxury goods. That also excludes housing, food, and most necessities.

Why wouldn't we want to tax a person who has at least $200K a year to just spend on stuff?

[djmk]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

The investor immigrant program was all about helping foster industry, growing jobs and spreading prosperity. Instead, it's resulted in rampant speculation, growing inequality, and wealth concentration. This is pretty much the opposite of Canadian values. Perhaps laissez faire America would support this and some kind of twisted ideal, but you've got to be kidding if you think this is representative of this country.

The investor immigrant program ended 4 years ago.

[Pinion]

.

[logicbomb]

I have an indo-Canadian friend who hates where this country is heading. Her family has helped dozens of immigrants gain entry in this country and there's relentless pressures on women to marry overseas so they can help their kin to gain citizenship. The process is repeating itself over and over. There is an environmental disaster in India where the quality of life continues to decline due to environmental degradation and overpopulation.

Issue is that BC continues to appeal to the investment class rather than the true hard-working immigrants. There is no longer any pressures to assimilate so you end up with fragmented communities in the area...segregated by class.

It's a valid argument when it pertains to class but quickly hushed due to racial undertones.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

You Canadian middle class cry babies are complaining about Syrian refugees who are living off government benefits. And complain about those rich millionaire Mainland Chinese immigrants for not paying enough taxes. Look at the mirror your self.

Everything you just said is wrong.

[240glt]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Good, I grew up in kelowna and watched albertan money distort that city for years.

Indeed. I don't shed a tear for those poor Albertans who've bought up houses in the Okanagan.. not lakefront cottages, not timeshare condos, actual residential houses (with a lake view.. they all want lake views because most can't afford lakefront) and are using them as vacation properties.

I have a friend whose parents live in a cul-de-sac in the Coldstream area of Vernon, and during the last big real estate frenzy half the houses on the street were sold to Albertans as vacation properties. So now they live on a street that's mostly devoid of neighbors, the people who do own the properties store their boats and RV's in the front driveways year round and the prices for these houses have been driven out of reach of most local residents. That's not good for the local economy or the viability of the area. If Albertans want to own residential properties and use them as vacation properties they can pay the tax.

[Pinion]

.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by Pinion

Yep I have zero problem with Syrian refugees. I have a problem with con artists ruining our city's economy, not immigrants.

This.

Any reasonable person knows this country is built on immigration.

There is nothing synonymous with immigration and illegal capital flows wrecking the fabric of society here.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by djmk

The investor immigrant program ended 4 years ago.

Orly?

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

You Canadian middle class cry babies

Originally Posted by Tourist9394

I pay the same as you 20K last year in income tax

Then you're middle class....

And given that you likely make sub 100K since you pay 20K in income tax how do you afford a house in Vancouver? Is it all that great benefit provided by the GST income from luxury goods? An inclusive society is inclusive to both those who immigrate here AND those who already live here...

Clearly people bringing money to an area can be a positive, but there is a limit and we are far beyond that limit. The influx of foreign capital is starting to really hamper organic economic growth as firms cant hire talent who actually want to live and work here. Clearly something is wrong.

[djmk]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Orly?

sure. And here is an article stating that 28,000 people over 3 decades ended up in Vancouver rather than in Quebec

https://globalnews.ca/news/3886743/quebec-immigrant-investor-program-vancouver/

28,000 people over 3 decades being absorbed into a metro region of over 2 million is not very many people

IMHO, i think one of the biggest stresses on housing over that time has been the kids of boomers leaving their parents home. And now senior citizen boomers getting a divorce (en masses if you believe the reports). that is a lot of housing needed