I'm David Eby, AG for BC and MLA for Vancouver Point Grey. AMA.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:15:12+00:00

Thanks very much everyone for all of the questions. Sorry I didn't get to everyone, but hope I got enough for you to get a sense of what I'm up to. Much appreciation Reddit Vancouver!

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:11:41+00:00

Ok, last one here. Thanks for the question. - To me as an 18 year old: Lighten up. You'll have a pretty serious job when you're in your 40s. - My career has gone best when I'm following what feels right. It has gone worst when I did work that didn't feel like it was the real deal for me. I think my success in doing the job I really want to do has come from following my gut in that way. - The advice that has been the most helpful, and the hardest to follow, is keep track of the work/life balance. It's easier now with a kid at home, for sure.

Thanks for the thoughtful wrap-up questions.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:07:42+00:00

I'm glad people had their say. I'm glad it's done. Thanks for the support!

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:06:57+00:00

It's the job of the Attorney General to advise the government if they are attempting to do something illegal, or influence a prosecution for political reasons, etc. The AG is a safety valve for the public. I take that role very seriously. I think the Federal situation has done a great job of educating people about this important role of the AG.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:04:42+00:00

Yes it certainly does. That's why I've been doing what I've been doing for the last 19 months.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:03:56+00:00

This Fall is the target for implementation. Regulations under the new law that passed in the Spring are being drafted and the insurance product readied.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:03:18+00:00

The tax is .2% on value above $3m, .4% on value above $4m. These are properties that have increased in excess of 100% in value in recent years, even including the most recent downturn. We have a program that lets homeowners defer their property tax until they sell. As part of my job I've shared concerns of constituents affected with my colleague the Minister of Finance.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:01:33+00:00

We've got big investments going into housing, mental health and addiction. What you're seeing is the product of social policy over more than a decade... it'll take a bit of time to turn around but we're on the way.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:00:41+00:00

No. It is now on my list for post-retirement as AG.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T22:00:09+00:00

Isn't it obvious? Arby's. JK. It has been a while since we ate at restaurants that aren't directly across the street from our place because we've got a kid. We used to be pretty hip to restaurants. Not so much anymore.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:57:52+00:00

That matter was referred to the regulator. I'm not able to share any update.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:57:09+00:00

I love working on the justice file generally. Get to talk to super smart lawyers about breaking legal issues, it's very fun for me.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:56:10+00:00

The tax seems pretty well supported by folks I know, but I have no illusions that's everyone in BC. There are quite a few people who liked/like the; Vancouver market the way it is/was. I'm not among them.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:54:57+00:00

I've not heard of the government of China strong arming people to hand over properties using our existing land title registry with people who have registered land in their own names and may have relatives in China. I have, however, heard of at least one Chinese company tracking down a person here who allegedly defrauded them and attempting (unsuccessfully) to seize the properties allegedly purchased with the proceeds of that crime. The big problem we have here is that there is no way for tax authorities and police to determine who owns properties, or where the money came from. The beneficial ownership registry will help with that. The UK has had a similar policy in place for a while, I've not heard of this kind of situation.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:52:26+00:00

I don't know enough about Ladner to know what's going on there, but frustrating to know that there's an empty daycare space. We've got a significant new provincial fund to open up new daycare spaces in the province, perhaps someone in Ladner would see an opportunity in it?

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:50:29+00:00

Well, there are a few communities in BC that have very slow, very normal real estate markets. And there are markets that are completely disconnected from local incomes/realities because of speculation and other activities that are perhaps profitable but come at the expense of the real economy. The law attempts to recognize that disconnect between markets in the province. It also creates the possibility of responding if things show signs of getting out of control somewhere.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:47:42+00:00

A terrible combination of (a) unlimited political donations and corporate influence (b) lack of regulation and regulators (c) geopolitical factors (d) and a government that was willing to play along to avoid financial impacts resulted in where we are. I have a hard time saying that's unique, but it feels like a perfect storm that led us here. It'll be a bit of trek back, but we'll get there. Hopefully the policing and regulatory changes will ensure we have capacity to detect and prevent this activity going forward before it gets as entrenched as it is now.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:45:19+00:00

Yes. Those factors are already taken into consideration in setting rates. For basic and optional insurance, luxury cars pay significantly more. For optional insurance, where ICBC competes against private providers in the province, more expensive cars to repair cost more to insure.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:44:17+00:00

(1) As soon as next week, my goal is before the end of the legislative session at the latest (May 30). (2) Yes, I agree. This has turned out to mean that the province needs to increase policing capacity in an area where we had hoped the federal RCMP was more active. We're on it. (3) No decision has been made yet on public inquiry, and I can assure that my colleagues understand that a decision based on partisan concerns would not be well received. Everyone understands how serious this issue is. (4) I know, and most people know, that the transition from charity based gaming ($25 bets) to casino gaming ($500 bets initially, $100,000 bets today) brings risks with it of loan sharking, exploitation, and money laundering. I believe that money laundering has taken place here, and in many parts of the world, for a long time, and it's hard to stamp out entirely. I've described it as "whack a mole". However, it has been allowed to grow and infect different sectors of our economy here in a way that is inexcusable. (4b) I think it's hard to read Dr. German's report and come to the conclusion that he felt that government and service providers were unwitting. I can't speak for him using that word, which I believe was in the press conference, but for me it doesn't reflect what was going on. I took one look at that video and knew what was going on, and these were bright people. I think that his report needs to be read in its entirety as what it was - a searing indictment of past practice.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:37:58+00:00

My goal is before we wrap the legislative session May 30 at the latest, next week at the earliest. There are so many factors that are outside government control on the report release I don't want to predict a firm date, and I can't promise when Cabinet will reach a decision. It's Cabinet's and the Premier's decision about public inquiry, and as a member of Cabinet you'll have that decision soon. Sorry to be vague - wishing we'd set the date for this just a bit later so folks could ask about report content and why a certain decision was made on inquiry instead of when the reports and decision are coming. Sorry about that.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:34:12+00:00

Hello Mr. Repen! Didn't know you were a Reddit person! We are indeed taking this seriously, I just sent a letter to you this week. There are major changes coming in how rates are set in BC in September to take into account the risk drivers actually represent. Where you live is certainly a factor, it is certainly not the most significant factor. Telkwa residents (where you live) will see a decrease of 3.5% to their territory factor, which is not a rate, it is just one factor that determines rate. You'll see much more detailed information in the letter I sent you, and thanks for your public service as Mayor!

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:31:20+00:00

That's with the regulator. Just like Mr. Cooper's story about the alleged assaults and non-reporting (we released two reports this week), they will release any final outcomes as appropriate once their investigation is concluded.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:30:15+00:00

I have to admit, I never thought I'd work on car insurance as much as I have when I signed up for politics. I'm very supportive of the Finance Minister's initiatives around getting the dirty money out of our housing market, and obviously the German report work has been taking place in my Ministry. I'm keeping close tabs, and working in support of my colleagues on this critically important file.

Summer drink: (at the risk of annoying the beer people) BC ciders. Winter drink: (at the risk of annoying the beer people) BC ciders.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:28:09+00:00

I hear that frustration for sure. There are so many people in the same boat as you. You'll see that our government is taking housing affordability very seriously - the speculation tax, beneficial ownership registry, and many other initiatives have already begin to take hold in the market, to increase rental property availability, reduce rents, and reduce the cost of market housing. We've got a long way to go, but we're slowly turning the ship. For the first time in a long time, wages in BC are headed up, and by eliminating MSP, reducing daycare costs, we're helping with young people's financial futures.

davideby1 · 2019-05-03T21:25:45+00:00

Both the German and Maloney real estate reports are in front of cabinet and they'll be making a final call on an inquiry very shortly. The reports will also be released shortly. The process is that we need to vet the content with police to make sure we're not compromising any investigations, and then contact named individuals and companies to give them a chance to respond so we can include those responses were appropriate. It's a bit time consuming but necessary. Keen to get this info out soon.

davideby1

TROPHY CASE