A city councillor in Victoria says B.C.'s capital city wants a tax on foreign home buyers, similar to the one imposed in Metro Vancouver.
Ben Isitt says Victoria would also like the authority to set a vacancy tax to ensure homeowners are making empty suites and homes available for rent, hopefully easing the city's low vacancy rate.
Isitt says motions supporting the foreign buyers tax and vacancy tax will go before Victoria council this week and the Capital Regional District board in February.
He says the number of foreign property purchases has climbed sharply in Victoria and the two taxes will help level the playing field between Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District.
