Jean Swanson and supporters will meet outside Chip Wilson’s home to campaign for higher property taxation on the wealthy
Independent Vancouver city council candidate Jean Swanson will take her campaign outside Chip Wilson’s Point Grey home on September 23 to advocate for a “mansion tax,” according to a Georgia Straight report.
“Rents have increased 20% in the past year,” Swanson stated to select media in a release. “Homelessness has skyrocketed since 2001 when the provincial government cut taxes for the rich and services for the rest of us. Meanwhile the property tax rate has decreased to less than half of 2001 levels, including for luxury properties like Chip Wilson’s $75 million mansion—the most expensive home in Vancouver.”
According to the report, with Metro Vancouver’s current tax rates, Wilson will pay a total of $193,714.32 in property taxes this year, equating to 0.26% of his home’s assessed value.
Swanson’s media release does not specify an exact number for her proposed mansion tax, according to the Straight. However, it does suggest that money collected from higher taxes on the wealthy should go to those with lower incomes who would benefit from financial support for housing.
“We need to build 2,138 modular homes, as well as social and cooperative housing for the 18,000 Vancouverites spending over 50% of their income on rent,” the release reportedly stated. “One way to help us do that is by instituting a mansion tax.”
The Vancouver council by-election is scheduled for October 14. The election will fill a seat left vacant by Vision Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs, who took a position with the NDP government after resigning in July.
See an aerial photo of Chip Wilson's Point Grey home below.
Photo: Daily Hive Vancouver
Chip Wilson Home
Assessed at $75 million, Wilson's home is the most expensive property in the city
