Workers coming to B.C. through the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can now be exempt from the additional property transfer tax on foreign buyers, helping ensure B.C. continues to attract highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs across all sectors of the province’s diverse economy, including the growing tech sector, B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

“British Columbia has always welcomed the world’s best and brightest, where they find a place that embraces them,” said Premier Clark. “Our growing tech sector depends on the Provincial Nominee Program, and that’s why we’re removing barriers, so they can get to work, create jobs, and help build B.C.”

The property transfer tax exemption will be available to B.C. provincial nominees who purchase a principal residence in Metro Vancouver. Existing B.C. provincial nominees who purchased a principal residence on or after Aug. 2, 2016, will be able to apply for a retroactive exemption. Application forms are available on the government’s website.

“Together with other housing affordability initiatives introduced by the provincial government, the additional property transfer tax has helped moderate prices and create the conditions that are allowing housing supply to catch up to demand,” de Jong said. “We are now in a position to provide targeted relief to help ensure our province continues to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs who want to invest and start businesses here.”

The Province is also extending rebates of the additional property transfer tax to foreign nationals who became permanent residents or Canadian citizens within one year of purchasing a principal residence. To be eligible, they must continuously reside in the property as their principal residence for one full year.

British Columbia is a leader in economic growth and job creation, and the tech sector is considered to be a top performer. Technology employment rose 2.9% last year, surpassing B.C.’s overall employment growth of 2.5% and national tech sector employment growth of 1.1%. Technology is an emerging factor in every industry – including our resource industries.

The Province estimates that one-third of the nearly one million job openings expected by 2025 will need to be filled by immigrants. While the Province’s priority remains ensuring B.C. workers are first in line for the job opportunities, even if every eligible British Columbian was trained there would not be enough workers to fill those openings.

Provincial nominees will be able to apply for the exemption beginning on March 17, 2017.  The exemption is retroactive. Qualifying individuals who have become permanent residents or Canadian citizens will be able to apply for a refund beginning August 2, 2017 – one year after the additional property transfer tax took effect.

Quick Facts:

• The PNP offers an immigration pathway for in-demand foreign workers and experienced entrepreneurs who contribute to the province’s economy.
• B.C. nominated 6,000 provincial nominees in 2016 and has been allocated 6,000 nominations in 2017.
• In 2016, more than 900 of B.C.’s 6,000 PNP spots were used to benefit the tech sector.
• Since 2010, B.C. has seen 471 new business immigrants and entrepreneurs come to B.C. through the PNP, investing over $550 million and creating approximately 1,400 jobs.

Learn More:

For more information about property transfer tax exemptions or refunds, as well as forms, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/property-transfer-tax/understand/additional-property-transfer-tax#exemption

For general information about property transfer tax, visit: gov.bc.ca/propertytransfertax