FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Rustad Announces Bold “Rustad Rebate” Plan to Provide Real Relief for BC Renters and Homeowners
“The Conservative Party believes in hard work and opportunity. If you work hard here, you should be able to get ahead. Under the NDP, British Columbians have been stuck on an endless treadmill of rising costs and punishing taxes. The Rustad Rebate is a real solution to help families stay in their homes, support the middle class, and provide relief to those being squeezed by high housing prices and rents.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
September 23rd, Surrey, BC: Today, John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, unveiled the BC Rent and Mortgage Rebate (the “Rustad Rebate”), a program designed to deliver real financial relief to renters and homeowners across the province. After seven years of soaring housing costs under the NDP’s leadership, this bold plan is designed to help middle-class British Columbians cope with the mounting pressure of rent and mortgage payments.
“My promise to the people of British Columbia is that, if elected Premier, I will systematically attack the cost pressures in all areas of life. Middle-class families deserve to get ahead and enjoy their lives, without constantly worrying about the bare minimum costs of existing.”
“People are being punished by having to pay for sky-high housing costs with their after-tax income. That’s why, if I’m elected Premier, $3,000 per month in housing costs will be exempted from BC income tax.”
The BC Rent and Mortgage Rebate ( The “Rustad Rebate”)
“In 2017, David Eby and the NDP promised a $400 rent rebate for all renters, regardless of income. As usual, they broke that promise not once, but twice,” said Rustad. “Not only did they fail to deliver for five consecutive budgets, but when they finally introduced it in 2023, it was so severely income-tested that the average family in Vancouver can’t qualify.”
Rustad criticized the NDP’s rebate as a token gesture, calling it a “drop in the bucket” for those struggling with the skyrocketing cost of living. “The NDP’s scheme barely covers 1% of the annual rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver. It simply isn’t good enough. Families and individuals are being driven out of our cities because they can’t afford to live here anymore. ”
To address this urgent crisis, the Rustad Rebate will provide significant relief to both renters and homeowners by exempting up to $3,000 a month in housing costs from provincial income taxes. The rebate will begin by exempting $1,500 per month in Budget 2026, and increase by $500 per year to $3,000 per month.
“The Conservative Party believes in hard work and opportunity. If you work hard here, you should be able to get ahead,” Rustad emphasized. “Under the NDP, British Columbians have been trapped in an endless treadmill of rising costs and punishing taxes. The Rustad Rebate is a real solution to help families stay in their homes, support the middle class, and provide relief to those being squeezed by high housing prices and rents.”
Key elements of the BC Rent and Mortgage Rebate include:
- Largest tax cut for renters and homeowners in BC history – $3,000 per month of rent or mortgage interest costs will be exempt from provincial income taxes. This will be achieved by issuing a tax credit worth 5.06% of eligible housing costs, equivalent to the rate of BC’s base tax bracket.
- Immediate relief in Budget 2026 - by exempting $1,500 per month, increasing by $500 per year to the full level of $3,000 per month. This is a clear and long-term commitment to British Columbians who work hard.
- A fair and fiscally responsible tax credit – The 2026 budget impact will not exceed $900 million, and we will design a targeted tax credit that ensures the relief goes to people who need it to get ahead in life.
“This is not another band-aid solution. This is real relief for British Columbians who are working hard but getting squeezed by rising housing costs,” Rustad said. “The NDP’s broken promises have left middle-class families behind, and enough is enough. The Rustad Rebate will provide meaningful support to renters and homeowners, allowing them to stay in the communities they love and keep more of their hard-earned money.”
The Conservative Party’s plan aims to ease the burden on renters and homeowners while promoting fairness and economic growth. “Our goal is simple: put more money in the pockets of British Columbians, reduce the cost of living, and finally get our housing market under control,” Rustad concluded.
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For more information, please contact [email protected].
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