British Columbia\u2019s high housing costs are on the government\u2019s radar as it prepares to table its budget next month, but Premier Christy Clark is ruling out luxury or speculation taxes to cool Vancouver\u2019s hot market.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to be really careful about unintended consequences,\u201d says Clark. \u201cBut we\u2019re thinking of a range of solutions\u2026as we put together our budget, this is front and centre for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says any measures the government takes must not devalue homes, providing this example.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf somebody owns a $400,000 condo, and government makes a move that reduces the value of that, they\u2019ve got a mortgage on $400,000, not on $350,000,\u201d says Clark.<\/p>\n

Of particular focus, Clark says she\u2019ll be looking at things that could help first-time buyers enter the housing market.<\/p>\n

Agencies\/Canadajournal<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n