There’s a movement afoot of Burnaby home owners who want some tax relief during the COVID-19 crisis.
The City of Vancouver has allowed owners to defer property taxes by 60 days as many people are losing revenue due to their work hours being cut back.
Several Burnaby residents have written me saying Burnaby should do the same thing.
One resident CC’ed me on a letter written to Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley.
“I read that the city of Vancouver has deferred all coming 2019 property taxes by two months in order to give their residents some monetary relief during the current coronavirus pandemic,” says an email. “I wrote our city’s tax department to ask if similar relief would be given to Burnaby residents. I received the following answer: ‘At the present time we have not been advised regarding relief measures in response to the Covid-19 situation for Burnaby.’ I would like to know what our mayor and council is planning in regards to helping out Burnaby homeowners during this financially stressful period.”
Hurley was outspoken recently in discussing help for businesses.
Tax deferments for businesses were announced by the province on Monday, March 23, along with other financial relief for all British Columbians.
The change allows business to defer payments until Sept. 30, including provincial sales tax, municipal and regional district taxes, and employer health tax payments for businesses with a payroll over $500,000.
The City of Burnaby has been working with the province on tax relief options for businesses and citizens, according to Hurley, so it’s obviously on the city’s mind.
Businesses need help because they employ people during this difficult time.
But citizens need help too. Home owners could use a tax deferral.
You know who also needs help? Renters. We need the city and the province to get something done to protect them from being evicted.
I don’t know how this plays out. A rental freeze or a ban on evictions. Something needs to be done. Banks also need to help landlords who rely on rents to pay mortgages.
Basically the entire system needs more bold action so we don’t see a wave of people tossed out into the street because of people being out of work.
The one-time $1,000 payment announced today by the B.C. government and enhanced EI just isn’t going to cut it.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
