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B.C.’s Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is facing more criticism of being “tone deaf” following another controversial posting on Twitter.
In a tweet taking aim at B.C.’s speculation tax, Wilkinson wrote “John Horgan and the NDP are ignoring brokenhearted families who have had cabins for decades. Their unfair #speculationtax means these families may lose those special homes.”
The tweet accompanies a video clip featuring Belcarra’s mayor, who comments that people in his community are “terrified” they will lose their water access only cabins that have been in their family for generations because of the speculation tax.
John Horgan and the NDP are ignoring brokenhearted families who have had cabins for decades. Their unfair #speculationtax means these families may lose those special homes. Hear what Belcarra Mayor has to say in the video below. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/j5ApsoaPQ5
— Andrew Wilkinson (@Wilkinson4BC) March 1, 2019
Many people online pointed out Wilkinson’s controversial comments from last week, where he made light of the rental situation in B.C.
“I was a renter for 15 years. I lived in a dozen different rentals,” he said. “It was challenging at times, but it was fun.
“It’s kind of a wacky time of life, but it can be really enjoyable.”
With the rental climates in places like Victoria, Vancouver and Kelowna nearing dire pricing and vacancy levels, the comments were not well received.
Ah yes, those poor "cabin" owners in Belcarra. https://t.co/q0f9GjdXGw pic.twitter.com/dytbmYCnJU
— Will Richardson-Little 🛰 (@wwrlittle) March 1, 2019
This is amazingly tone deaf given the "Renting is wacky" trainwreck this week.
— Ted Murray (@TedMurrayTRU) March 1, 2019
Really got the common touch, don't you?
Seriously!!? Trying to generate sympathy for people who can afford a second home less than 48 hours after suggesting that people struggling to pay rent are having wacky fun. #DiggingaHole #WackyTime #bcpoli #outoftouch
— Mike Wolf (@Alldinabaldin) March 1, 2019
So does this mean they will need to rent a vacation home? Wacky!
— Ted Dixon (@TedDixon) March 1, 2019
Second homeownership is such a wacky stage of life.
— vaccinate your kids (@matthewlittler) March 2, 2019
Many Twitter users also pointed out that as a trained doctor and lawyer, Wilkinson’s time renting 15 years ago may have been slightly out of touch when compared to the struggles many British Columbians face today.
B.C. homeowners in areas impacted by the speculation tax such as Kelowna and West Kelowna, along with various regions in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island have until the end of March to declare their properties exempt from the tax.
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