FVREB call to action re: New Metro Vancouver foreign buyers’ tax

Sample letter to send to your MLA:

Dear <MLA name>:

I’m a REALTOR® who has served clients in the Fraser Valley for > number of years. The intent of this letter is to share with you my strong concerns about the 15 per cent addition to the PTT.

My concerns are twofold:

1)  The implementation of the new tax should have been for contracts finalized after the legislation came into effect NOT contracts that were already signed and expected to complete after August 2. It is unfair to buyers and sellers who entered into deals under the guidelines of existing legislation to change their ‘rules of the game’ halfway through.

2)  The new tax should apply to non-Canadians not living or working here. Skilled and professional workers come to our region from all over the world and many first start by renting as they save up to invest in real estate. We do not want to unfairly penalize people living, working and contributing to the betterment of our communities.

In my office, we’ve already had sales collapse due to this tax. More will come.

I strongly encourage the provincial government to ‘grandfather’ existing contracts signed prior to August 2 and amend the legislation to allow constituents living and working here to strive for the Canadian dream of homeownership fairly and equitably.

Thank you for your consideration.

<REALTOR name,

Brokerage info

Contact information for the local MLAs:

Marc Dalton / MLA, Maple Ridge-Mission /
Simon Gibson / MLA, Abbotsford-Mission /
Minister Mike de Jong / Minister of Finance, House Leader & MLA, Abbotsford-West /
Darryl Plecas / MLA, Abbotsford-South /
Minister Rich Coleman / Deputy Premier, Minister Responsible for Housing /
Minister Mary Polak / Minister of Environment & MLA, Langley /
Scott Hamilton / MLA, Delta North /
Harry Bains / MLA, Surrey-Newton /
Minister Stephanie Cadieux / Minister of Children and Family Development & MLA, Surrey-Cloverdale /
Minister Peter Fassbender / Minister of Community, Sport, Cultural Development, Minister Responsible for TransLink & MLA, Surrey-Fleetwood /
Gordon Hogg / MLA, Surrey-White Rock /
Sue Hammell / MLA, Surrey-Green Timbers /
Marvin Hunt / MLA, Surrey-Panorama Ridge /
Bruce Ralston / MLA, Surrey-Whalley /
Minister Amrik Virk / Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services & MLA, Surrey-Tynehead /