Unlike in B.C., renters in Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario get a rebate from their provinces.

In Manitoba, one could qualify for up to $700 in the form of a tax credit. In Quebec, renters get a tax credit of $115.20. In Ontario, seniors are entitled to $924 (nonseniors, $784) in direct payments this year.

Although the idea of a renter’s tax credit isn’t new elsewhere, it’s not talked about much in B.C., including in cities like Vancouver, where many renters are hit with high housing costs.

However, if either Melanie Mark or Pete Fry wins in the by-election Tuesday (February 2) as the new MLA for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant, the concept may get a bit more play.

The B.C. NDP’s Mark and the B.C. Greens’ Fry have committed to looking into how a tax credit might work to bring some relief to renters.

“We have to consider every single option to make life better for residents in Vancouver–Mount Pleasant and throughout British Columbia,” Mark told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview. “We know that the B.C. Liberals have certainly made the tax system better for very rich people and large corporations but have added on regressive taxes for people.”

If elected, Mark said, she will be working with the B.C. NDP caucus in developing a platform going into the 2017 election campaign.

“Of course, a fair taxation system has to be on the table for local residents, renters, and small businesses as well,” she said.

Win or lose, Fry said, he will try to push the B.C. Green Party to explore the potential of advocating a renter’s tax credit.

“I know that [Green party leader and Oak Bay–Gordon Head MLA] Andrew Weaver is committed to a poverty-reduction plan,” Fry told the Straight by phone, “and he also believes that, you know, any poverty-reduction plan needs to start with housing first.”

Fry could only guess why the B.C. Liberals, who have been in power since 2001, have not considered the idea.

“It’s a disconnect that the Liberal government has with the reality of a lot of the urban ridings,” Fry said. “And I think that may be symptomatic of the fact that urban ridings have traditionally been represented by the NDP, and that sort of political polarization that exists in the house has prevented them from having a fair voice.”

B.C. Liberal candidate Gavin Dew did not make himself available for an interview.