As a former finance minister, I couldn’t agree more with James Steidle (Opinion: Fixing B.C.’s Home Owner Grant is long overdue). B.C.’s Home Owner Grant program is inequitable and unfair and badly needs reform.
The program treats a couple earning $100,000 who has a huge mortgage and badly needs the grant the same as a couple earning $400,000 with no mortgage and really doesn’t need the tax break.
Many government grant programs are “means tested”: those who have higher incomes receive lower grants or none at all. The Home Owner Grant program should be reformed to incorporate that principle.
Paul Ramsey
Victoria
