August 3, 2016 | Canadian Press

Quoted from the article:

British Columbia’s New Democrat housing critic is calling for an investigation into whether a prominent Vancouver real estate agent and B.C. Liberal government insider had advance knowledge of a controversial new tax on foreign property buyers.

David Eby has written B.C. Premier Christy Clark asking what information Bob Rennie had before the government passed the 15 per cent property transfer tax on foreign nationals.

His questions come after the Globe and Mail published an article saying Rennie said he knew about three weeks ago that an additional tax was coming. Rennie chairs the B.C. Liberal’s fundraising committee and is also a party donor. Eby’s letter asks Clark when Rennie received formal notice of the new tax, who told him and whether he or any of his clients acted on any information they may have received.

“These are all serious questions,” Eby told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference at his constituency office.

“This information is very valuable to someone in the position of Mr. Rennie as a major industry player, as probably one of the most uniquely best-positioned to take advantage of this information.”

Eby said the auditor general or conflict commissioner could investigate, or an external party could be appointed. He said parliamentary tradition dictates the finance minister take responsibility for leaks about taxation policy, and the premier must be held accountable as well.

Read the full article: http://www.timescolonist.com/ndp-demand-probe-of-real-estate-agent-s-knowledge-of-b-c-foreign-property-tax-1.2314962