The Government Relations department works with all levels of government to help ensure that the quality of life in our communities is continually improving and to promote the interests of home owners, buyers and sellers.

 The Board's mandate includes the following:

  • Watch and advise. Track and analyze new, pending and proposed legislation, regulations, bylaws and rules that have an impact on our members’ business.
  • Reach out. Offer courses, speakers and seminars to our members on government-related topics.
  • Develop policy positions. Regularly meet with politicians to promote legislation and regulations that benefit property owners, buyers and sellers.
  • Build relationships. Correspond with government officials about real estate professionals ongoing commitment to community involvement. This helps the officials take into account real estate concerns when government decisions are made.


Government-related news:

  

Bulletin #1: HST Advisory (May 2010, revised)
Bulletin #2: HST Advisory Non-Residential (December 2009)

   BC Budget 2010: what's new for property buyer's and owners?
The Canadian flag with mountains and evergreens in background.

 

   Federal Budget 2010: changes to home ownership programs
  February 2010: changes to government-backed insured mortgages

  

Advocacy successes that benefit home owners, buyers and sellers in the Greater Vancouver area:

  • Government listens to Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver on HST:  The provincial and federal governments will combine the seven per cent provincial sales tax (PST) and the five per cent federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) into one 12 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), effective July 1, 2010.
  • Home Buyers’ Plan: In 2009, successfully convinced the federal government to raise the RRSP withdrawal limit for home buyers to $25,000 from $20,000 ($50,000 for couples). Currently lobbying the government to permanently index the withdrawal limit to inflation, and recommending the plan be extended to all home buyers for two years as an economic stimulus measure.
  • Property Transfer Tax: Lobbied the BC Government for an increase in the First Time Home Buyers’ exemption threshold to the Property Transfer Tax. The threshold was raised to $425,000 from $375,000.
  • Home Owner Grant: Lobbied the BC Government for an increase in the home owner grant threshold to $950,000 from $780,000 to mitigate the impacts of rising property values.
  • Flood Mitigation Funding: Lobbied the Federal and Provincial Governments for money for flood mitigation measures to protect properties in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. The Federal Government is contributing $60 million and the Provincial Government is contributing $100 million.