Canadian journalists “who do not see themselves as racist” are responsible for “half-truths” blaming Asian investors for high urban house prices, says a Liberal Senator..“Let’s get down to brass tacks: The recent rise in anti-Asian racism (in) Vancouver is fueled by false narratives around ‘Chinese’ culpability for housing affordability,” Sen. Yuen Pau Woo (B.C.) wrote in one of a series of social media posts marking Asian Heritage Month, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..“They were advanced by journalists, academics and politicos who do not see themselves as racists but whose half-truths and casual asides were weaponized by actual haters and xenophobes..“These views have entered the mainstream and will be difficult to dislodge. Even if the most overt anti-Asian hate recedes, a climate of resentment will be allowed to fester, awaiting another false narrative.”.Woo did not comment on a proposed $175 million-a-year equity tax on offshore real estate speculators the Liberals announced in last month’s budget..Woo in a Facebook video went further in complaining there aren’t enough Asian-Canadians in Parliament..“Discrimination against Asian-Canadians is not a new thing and our community is generally under-represented in leadership positions across the country, from board rooms to universities to the courts and, well, even Parliament,” he said..“Let’s remember we cannot truly and fully celebrate Asian heritage unless Asian-Canadians are fully part of the fabric of Canadian society.”.In its April 19 budget, the Liberal government said it will levy a 1% annual equity tax on offshore non-resident owners of Canadian homes. The tax would take effect January 1, 2022 on property “considered to be vacant or underused.” It is worth up to $11,000 a year on foreign owners of houses and condos in Vancouver and Toronto, according to average sale prices from the Canadian Real Estate Association..“Housing is such an important issue for all of us,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland testified last Friday at the Senate national finance committee..“Given that our population is growing we must build, build and build again new housing every year..“You mention the tax measure. This is an important measure. We don’t want to encourage any sort of speculation on housing..“Housing must be there to provide shelter for Canadian families. Housing shouldn’t be taken over by speculators. That tax is one of the measures we’re bringing in to ensure that remains the case.”.The British Columbia Supreme Court in 2019 dismissed challenges of a similar provincial tax on offshore land buyers..B.C. in 2016 introduced a 15% Additional Property Transfer Tax..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
Canadian journalists “who do not see themselves as racist” are responsible for “half-truths” blaming Asian investors for high urban house prices, says a Liberal Senator..“Let’s get down to brass tacks: The recent rise in anti-Asian racism (in) Vancouver is fueled by false narratives around ‘Chinese’ culpability for housing affordability,” Sen. Yuen Pau Woo (B.C.) wrote in one of a series of social media posts marking Asian Heritage Month, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..“They were advanced by journalists, academics and politicos who do not see themselves as racists but whose half-truths and casual asides were weaponized by actual haters and xenophobes..“These views have entered the mainstream and will be difficult to dislodge. Even if the most overt anti-Asian hate recedes, a climate of resentment will be allowed to fester, awaiting another false narrative.”.Woo did not comment on a proposed $175 million-a-year equity tax on offshore real estate speculators the Liberals announced in last month’s budget..Woo in a Facebook video went further in complaining there aren’t enough Asian-Canadians in Parliament..“Discrimination against Asian-Canadians is not a new thing and our community is generally under-represented in leadership positions across the country, from board rooms to universities to the courts and, well, even Parliament,” he said..“Let’s remember we cannot truly and fully celebrate Asian heritage unless Asian-Canadians are fully part of the fabric of Canadian society.”.In its April 19 budget, the Liberal government said it will levy a 1% annual equity tax on offshore non-resident owners of Canadian homes. The tax would take effect January 1, 2022 on property “considered to be vacant or underused.” It is worth up to $11,000 a year on foreign owners of houses and condos in Vancouver and Toronto, according to average sale prices from the Canadian Real Estate Association..“Housing is such an important issue for all of us,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland testified last Friday at the Senate national finance committee..“Given that our population is growing we must build, build and build again new housing every year..“You mention the tax measure. This is an important measure. We don’t want to encourage any sort of speculation on housing..“Housing must be there to provide shelter for Canadian families. Housing shouldn’t be taken over by speculators. That tax is one of the measures we’re bringing in to ensure that remains the case.”.The British Columbia Supreme Court in 2019 dismissed challenges of a similar provincial tax on offshore land buyers..B.C. in 2016 introduced a 15% Additional Property Transfer Tax..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
