THE NDP leadership hopeful David Eby said on Monday that BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon’s party has launched multiple attacks on his housing plan, his housing critic Mike Bernier bought and sold three houses within 14 months of buying them since 2019.

Eby noted that a key component of his plan is to implement a flipping tax on homes sold less than two years after purchase, to prevent speculators from cashing in on the housing shortage which drives up prices for people trying to buy their first home.

Falcon named Bernier to his shadow cabinet in February and put him in charge of the housing file. Bernier sold one property for more than twice what he paid for, but he’s been getting even better deals since the pandemic hit, Eby said. On his two most recent flips, Bernier quadrupled his money even though he owned each one for only 12 months.

Eby said: “We knew Kevin Falcon had close ties with speculators, but now we know a senior member of his caucus has flipped three houses in the last few years, making more than half-a-million dollars in profit. No wonder Kevin Falcon opposes my housing plan.”

He added: “This is the guy Kevin Falcon picked to be in charge of the housing file. It shows they see the housing shortage as a way of making a lot of money, making it worse for everyone else.”

Eby noted that Bernier’s total profits from flipping these three properties is approximately $578,900. According to the B.C. Real Estate Association residential prices have increased 30 per cent in the South Peace region last year, double the 15 per cent gain recorded in Greater Vancouver.

“I believe the housing market should first and foremost provide attainable homes for people. With my housing plan, we will build more housing people can afford and protect people’s homes from those who just want to make a profit,” said Eby.

1509 101 Avenue, Dawson Creek

●      Bought October 1, 2018 for $110,000

●      Sold December 1, 2019 for $260,000 (2.3x increase)

●      Profit: $150,000

9001 8 Street, Dawson Creek

●      Bought March 11, 2020 for $75,000

●      Sold March 15, 2021 for $324,900 (4.3x increase)

●      Profit: $249,900

1425 100 Avenue, Dawson Creek

●      Bought April 16, 2021 for $50,000

●      Sold April 8, 2022 for approximately $229,000 (listed price) (4.5x increase)

●      Profit: $179,000 (approximate)