the bc goverment says the tax is a "key measure in tackling the housing crisis in major urban centres in british columbia". it says that it took this action because the people who live and people who work in bc deserve to have affordable housing. according to the goverment, the tax is a part of it's 30-point plan to make housing more affordable. the tax is targeted at speculators who own homes in bc but do not pay taxes. it changes empty homes into occupied housing. it also creates revenue which will pay for affordable housing.