The fake news

Let’s say you buy a $1 million house. Okay, in Vancouver that would be fairly nice garden shed, or perhaps one of those porta potties with a heated seat. Regardless, there mucho tax to pay – in BC and across the country.

Without question governments have benefited bigly from the real estate boom of the past decade. Politicians have added to the cost of properties, thereby jacking household debt. But they can’t help it. They’re addicts. New-house builders pay staggering fees amounting to about 40% of the overall cost of the digs. Then there are registration levies, HST on realtor commissions and – the big one – land transfer taxes.

That seven-figure house comes with $18,000 in transfer tax to the BC government. That compares with $15,000 in Nova Scotia and $16,000 in Montreal. Buyers in battered Calgary do best – just a few hundred bucks in tax. But in Toronto, it’s the slaughter of the innocents with a transfer tax bill of $32,950. Yikes.

Toronto/GTA is the only place in the country when land transfer taxes are doubled, as both the province and the city thrust their blood-sucking proboscises deep into the arteries of hapless buyers. Last year this revenue grab nabbed the municipality alone more than $800 million – money for doing nothing, providing no service and yielding no benefit. But now Toronto can’t do without it. So we have a crisis.

In 2018 the tax collected by city hall will be a stunning $100 million less than in 2017 – a 12% drop which clearly demonstrates what’s happened to the local housing market. Prices have stayed sticky, but sales have tumbled. And no wonder. So the choice in 6ix is stark: cut services or raise property taxes by at least 4% to compensate. But how fair is it taxing people more to own property they were taxed obscenely to buy?

These are some of the things realtors don’t talk much about when they sell you a place. Outside of Alberta, closing costs can add 2% to 4% to the price of a home. But that’s just the start. Property taxes have only one direction in which to travel, as do condo fees and insurance premiums. The only hope is that Canadian real estate will correct – but the real estate cartel is doing all it can to prevent that.

This week the two behemoths of bombast, Re/Max and Royal Lepage, both brought out ‘reports’ forecasting price gains everywhere in 2019. Make no mistake, these are promotional tools designed to influence public opinion, create FOMO and thereby artificially influence the market. It they were selling stocks instead of condos, the CEOs of these outfits would be sharing shackles with Meng. Shame on the regulators.

 In any case, you might find the list below of interest. This is an internal report from Royal Lepage’s head flack, Sarah Louise Gardiner, sent to all company agents. It alerts them to the take-up by local and national media of the latest house-pumping propaganda. As you can see, our journalists have failed, accepting without criticism, comment or research a corporate handout steeped in conflict-of-interest. They slap on a headline, and run it.

Without reporters, or the odd pathetic bog, there’s nothing standing between you and fiction. What a terrifying thought.

Sarah Louise Gardiner
Director of Communications & Investor Relations
“Consumers, organizations and the media turn to Royal LePage as a trusted source for expert commentary. So far today we have achieved great media coverage, including:”

The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-two-realty-firms-see-modest-growth-for-canadian-housing-prices-in-2019/
Toronto Star via The Canadian Press: https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-say-remax-and-royal-lepage.html
Ottawa Citizen: https://ottawacitizen.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
Calgary Herald: https://calgaryherald.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
Vancouver Sun: https://vancouversun.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/d0ac09dc-3d81-4954-95f9-77d307ef915e
Edmonton Journal: https://edmontonjournal.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
24 News: http://www.24news.ca/the-news/economic-news/383193-modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage
570 News: https://www.570news.com/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/
660 News: https://www.660citynews.com/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/
680 News: https://www.680news.com/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/
Barrie Today: https://www.barrietoday.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Bay Today: https://www.baytoday.ca/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Burnaby Now: https://www.burnabynow.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Cape Breton Post: https://www.capebretonpost.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-267295/
Castanet: https://www.castanet.net/news/Business/244199/Modest-growth-forecasted
Collingwood Today: https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Chronicle Herald: https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-267295/
Chronicle Journal: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/business/national_business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-re-max-and-royal/article_38b2c9b8-13b6-5ff6-b148-19f86fda2518.html
CTV News: https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.4213327
CTV News (Business) : https://bc.ctvnews.ca/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.4213305
Dawson Creek Mirror: https://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Delta Optimist : https://www.delta-optimist.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Guelph Today: https://www.guelphtoday.com/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Halifax Today: https://www.halifaxtoday.ca/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Humboldt Journal: https://www.humboldtjournal.ca/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
iHearth Radio/Newstalk 1010: http://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/news/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-1.8610130
InfoTel News: https://infotel.ca/newsitem/housing-outlook/cp1060348611
Kamloops Matters: https://www.kamloopsmatters.com/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Kelowna Daily Courier: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/business_news/national_business/article_b91bad6c-1752-55e9-9a62-fdbb007ec728.html
Leader Post: https://leaderpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
Lethbridge Herald: https://lethbridgeherald.com/business/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage/
Lillooet News: https://www.lillooetnews.net/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Medicine Hat News: https://medicinehatnews.com/business/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage/
New Market Today: https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
News 1130: https://www.citynews1130.com/2018/12/11/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/
News Optimist: https://www.newsoptimist.ca/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
North Shore News: https://www.nsnews.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Orillia Matters: https://www.orilliamatters.com/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Ottawa Matters: https://www.ottawamatters.com/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Prince George Citizen: https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Reston Recorder: https://www.restonrecorder.ca/news/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Richmond News: https://www.richmond-news.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Saskatoon StarPhoenix: https://thestarphoenix.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
Sootoday: https://www.sootoday.com/national-business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Souris Plaindealer: https://www.sourisplaindealer.ca/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Squamish Chief: https://www.squamishchief.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
The Province: https://theprovince.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/1edba5f5-58c0-4afe-b804-6b0701adc3f2
The Telegram: https://www.thetelegram.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-267295/
Times Colonist: https://www.timescolonist.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Timmins Today: https://www.timminstoday.com/business-news/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-1155606
Weyburn This Week: https://www.weyburnthisweek.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
Windsor Star: https://windsorstar.com/pmn/business-pmn/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage/wcm/ca5577be-3034-44d1-8efc-ce018b309616
Winnipeg Free Press: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-remax-and-royal-lepage-502462991.html
Yahoo Finance: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-154812231.html
Yorkton This Week: https://www.yorktonthisweek.com/modest-home-price-growth-forecasted-for-2019-re-max-and-royal-lepage-1.23528380
BNN Bloomberg: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/the-daily-chase-huawei-bail-hearing-resumes-oil-producers-set-2019-budgets-1.1181462
TVA Nouvelles: https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/12/11/le-marche-montrealais-sera-le-plus-vigoureux-au-pays-selon-royal-lepage
TVA Nouvelles: https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/12/11/des-solutions-pour-acceder-a-la-propriete
Le Journal de Montréal: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/12/11/immobilier-en-2019-le-marche-montrealais-sera-le-plus-vigoureux-au-pays-selon-royal-lepage
La Presse: https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/immobilier/201812/11/01-5207633-hausse-des-prix-des-maisons-plus-modeste-en-2019-au-pays.php
Winnipeg Sun (also print):  https://winnipegsun.com/news/news-news/home-prices-projected-to-see-healthy-increase
Edmonton Sun: https://edmontonsun.com/news/news-news/home-prices-projected-to-see-healthy-increase/wcm/2f9d5e82-38d3-4c34-8404-a75f232bd390
Global News (Winnipeg): https://globalnews.ca/news/4749870/winnipeg-housing-market/
Global News (Vancouver): https://globalnews.ca/news/4750064/vancouver-housing-prices/
Global News (Toronto): https://globalnews.ca/news/4750827/royal-lepage-expects-regina-housing-prices-to-drop-nearly-5-in-2019/
Westca: http://www.westca.com/News/article/sid=680958
Singtao (Toronto): http://www.singtao.ca/toronto
Singtao (Calgary): http://www.singtao.ca/calgary
Dushi.singtao: https://dushi.singtao.ca/toronto
Abbotsford News via The Canadian Press: https://www.abbynews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Agassiz-Harrison Observer: https://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Alberni Valley News: https://www.albernivalleynews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Aldergrove Star: https://www.aldergrovestar.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Arrow Lakes News: https://www.arrowlakesnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Boundary Creek Times: https://www.boundarycreektimes.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Burns Lake Lakes District News: https://www.burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Caledonia Courier: https://www.caledoniacourier.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Castlegar News: https://www.castlegarnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Campbell River Mirror: https://www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Chilliwack Progress: https://www.theprogress.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Cloverdale Reporter: https://www.cloverdalereporter.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Comox Valley Record: https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Cranbrook Daily Townsman: https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Creston Valley Advance: https://www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Eagle Valley News: https://www.eaglevalleynews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Golden Star: https://www.thegoldenstar.net/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Goldstream News Gazette: https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Grand Forks Gazette: https://www.grandforksgazette.ca/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Haida Gwaii Observer: https://www.haidagwaiiobserver.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Hope Standard: https://www.hopestandard.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Houston Today: https://www.houston-today.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Interior News: https://www.interior-news.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Keremeos Review: https://www.keremeosreview.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Kelowna Capital News: https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Kimberley Bulletin: https://www.kimberleybulletin.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle: https://www.ladysmithchronicle.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Lake Country Calendar: https://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Lake Cowichan Gazette: https://www.lakecowichangazette.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Langley Advance: https://www.langleyadvance.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Langley Times: https://www.langleytimes.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News: https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Mission City Record: https://www.missioncityrecord.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Nanaimo News Bulletin: https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Nelson Star: https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
North Delta Reporter: https://www.northdeltareporter.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Northern Sentinel: https://www.northernsentinel.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Northern View: https://www.thenorthernview.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
North Island Gazette: https://www.northislandgazette.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Oak Bay News: https://www.oakbaynews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Parksville Qualicum Beach News: https://www.pqbnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Peace Arch News: https://www.peacearchnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Peninsula News Review: https://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Revelstoke Review: https://www.revelstokereview.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Rossland News: https://www.rosslandnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Saanich News: https://www.saanichnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Salmon Arm Observer: https://www.saobserver.net/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Similkameen Spotlight: https://www.similkameenspotlight.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Sooke News Mirror: https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Summerland Review: https://www.summerlandreview.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Surrey Now-Leader : https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Terrace Standard: https://www.terracestandard.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
The Free Press: https://www.thefreepress.ca/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News: https://www.westerlynews.ca/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Vanderhoof Omineca Express: https://www.ominecaexpress.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/
Victoria News : https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-s-skyrocketing-real-estate-market-will-correct-in-2019-analyst/

BROADCAST:

RADIO
102.9 The Drive FM
580 CFRA
680 CJOB
AM 800 CKLW
AM 900 CHML (Hamilton)
BX93 (CJBX)
CBC Radio One Yellownife
CBC Radio One (CFFB)
CFAX 1070
ICI Radio-Canada Premiere (CBF)
ICI Radio-Canada Premiere (Toronto)
News 95.7
News 1130
Newstalk 610
Newstalk 770
Newstalk 800
Newstalk 980
Newstalk 1010
Newstalk 1290

TELEVISION
BNN Bloomberg
CBC Saskatchewan
CKPR Thunder Bay
CTV Calgary
CTV Edmonton
CTV Ottawa
CTV Regina
Global News (National)
Global News (Okanagan)
Global News (Winnipeg)
ICI RDI
Le Canal Nouvelles
TVA Carleton-sur-Mer
TVA Montreal
TVA Ottawa
TVA Saguenay
TVA Quebec
TVA Rimouski
TVA Riviere-du-Loup
TVA Sherbrooke