Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Wednesday, March 7, 2018


Globe and Mail 

Vancouver gas prices rank among North America's highest
Vancouver's empty homes tax might not affect as many homeowners as predicted
Special prosecutor takes over case involving sex related charges against former B.C. mayor

CBC

'What does it take?' Lawyer calls on CRA to apologize to maliciously prosecuted couple
'We have no alternative': White paper warns lost B.C. farmland could be catastrophic
B.C. government hints at changes to speculation tax so it doesn't impact locals with vacation homes
School district under fire after launching anti-racism campaign
B.C. government 'very interested' in moving open-net fish farms onto land, minister says
'The game is rigged': B.C. could have a price gouging problem when it comes to ticket sales
'They didn't have many takers, but B.C. homebuyer loans still affected prices, prof says
Comox Valley residents 'absolutely shocked and disgusted' by proposed water bottling plant


Vancouver Sun

NDP cannot afford retreat on payroll health tax
B.C.'s finance minister appears ready to tweak speculation tax
More than 2,000 homeowners to be taxed under Vancouver's empty homes tax
Special Prosecutor appointed to review sex charges against former Burns Lake mayor


Vancouver Province

Bruising BC Tax battle heating up


Victoria Times Colonist

James hints B.C. speculation tax being redrawn for vacation homes implications
Federal NDP: Regardless of pipeline's fate, B.C. coast needs protection
Things need doing, and that means tax hikes
Putting out ICBC fire


Victoria News

Carole James hints at changes to B.C. empty home tax
B.C. environment assessment getting an overhaul
B.C. environmental assessment getting an overhaul
Rebates offered for vehicle chargers at home and at work
B.C. wine ban lifted too soon, Alberta's Jason Kenney says


Global BC

Many temporary foreign workers still paying thousands of dollars to work in BC: report
Growing seniors population expected to create economic imbalance in south Okanagan
BC Green MLA wants changes to how child welfare system handles Indigenous cases
B.C. speculation tax is still being tinkered with as criticism mounts
Luke Strimbold, ex Burns Lake mayor, charged with 24 sex-related counts; 3 alleged victims under 16
The census found 25 K empty homes in Vancouver. Empty homes tax filings show 1/3 that


Georgia Straight

City of Vancouver is facing criticism for what it defines as affordable rental housing
Mixed-income building begins moving some 200 tenants onto the East Hastings unit block
Weekend protest to set up 'new frontline of resistance' versus Kinder Morgan pipeline


Vancouver Courier

Indigenous homeless count expected to be 'equally as bad, if not worse'
Vancouver construction costs highest in Canada
Empty Homes Tax register 8,481 vacant, exempt or undeclared homes in Vancouver
Kinder Morgan pile driving shaking nearby homes: resident


The Tyee

Show Me The Money, Dix Says on Ottawa's Pharmacare Promise


Miscellaneous