B.C. finance committee calls for tax review in 2020 budget report

VICTORIA – An legislature committee says British Columbia’s tax system is in need of a comprehensive review.

The seven-member committee says in a report used to help guide government preparations ahead of its next budget that the tax system needs to be modernized.

The report is unanimous and recommends reviews of the province’s carbon tax, employer health tax, luxury tax, speculation and vacancy tax and provincial sales tax.

The committee made more than 100 recommendations to the government, including that it provide supports for youth formerly in care and that it helps workers and communities as the forest industry experiences an economic downturn.

The committee, made up of four New Democrats and three Opposition Liberals, held meetings in 15 communities in June and received almost 1,000 written submissions and online survey responses.

The Finance Ministry says in a statement it is reviewing the report and will consider its proposals and recommendations as it prepares next year’s budget.