What's new - Keep updated on BCREA and the HST issue

To keep current on updates on the BCREA and the HST issue, check back frequently.

As of Thursday, March 11, 2010, BCREA members, our clients and others have sent 1794 letters to the B.C. Government asking them to implement BCREA's four-point plan to help keep the impact of the HST as minimal as possible to ensure the attainability of housing for British Columbians.

Keep making a difference! Click here to find out how you can take action on the unfair HST.

In the News

Residential Housing New Housing Rebates and Transitional Rules for BC HST
On November 18, 2009 the provincial government announced the HST transitional rules on housing. To read the news release and backgrounder click here.

In the announcement, Finance Minister Colin Hansen acknowledged consumer and industry input on the issue. The province is proposing to increase the threshold for the B.C. HST new housing rebate from $400,000 to $525,000. The province aims to ensure that, on average, purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 pay no more tax due to harmonization. Purchasers of new homes would be eligible for a rebate of 71.43 per cent of the provincial portion of the HST paid on a new home, up to a maximum of $26,250. Homes above $525,000 would receive a flat rebate of $26,250. This is a 30 per cent increase in the threshold and maximum rebate available.

For more information and to see the Residential Housing New Housing Rebates and Transitional Rules for BC click here.

Op Ed in Vancouver Sun by John Tillie
The Vancouver Sun published a guest editorial about the proposed HST written by BCREA President John Tille on July 29, 2009. Read John's editorial by clicking here, in which he outlines the unfair burden the HST will place on new home buyers. The Vancouver Sun's online version of the story includes comments from readers who share John's concerns.

Homebuyers will have to shell out tens of thousands thanks to HST
The Province published an article about the forecast impacts of HST on new home buyers, written by Province journalist John Bermingham on August 9, 2009. Read John's article by clicking here.

Harmonized tax badly needed and likely revenue-neutral
The Vancouver Sun published a guest editorial about the importance of the proposed HST to the provincial economy, written by C.D. Howe Institute policy analysts Ben Dachis and Alexandre Laurin on August 11, 2009. Read Ben and Alexandre's editorial by clicking here

Housing starts fall, but HST may see sales rise
The Globe & Mail published an article about the forecast impacts of HST on housing starts, written by Globe & Mail journalist Wendy Stueck on August 12, 2009. Read Wendy's article by clicking here

Crafty Campbell knew the risks of HST
The Vancouver Sun published a column about the provincial government's decision to move to the proposed HST, written by columnist Sun Miro Certenig on August 12, 2009. Read Miro's column by clicking here

B.C. Government News Release on HST B.C. Government Website on HST.