B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has sent the following letter to homeowners who've contacted him about a new surtax on homes valued at more than $3 million:

Dear Homeowner,

The proposed "School Tax" tabled in the NDP budget has nothing to do with schools. In fact, it means your next property tax bill is likely to be thousands of dollars higher than last year.

This new tax calls for a dramatic increase to your property taxes, and is on top of the numerous other tax increases by the NDP you are seeing this year. This is a potentially devastating burden for hardworking British Columbians, many of whom have lived in their homes for decades.

Seniors on fixed income and families with a middle-class income will be hardest hit, because the value of their homes does not reflect their ability to pay thousands of extra dollars in property tax. But to the NDP, the tax is fair because they say that you'll get a "windfall" when you eventually sell your house.

My view is that your house is your home—and this punitive tax could potentially force you out.

The "School Tax" isn't what the NDP claim. It's really an asset tax, designed to charge you based on the assessed value of your home, regardless of what you originally paid, or your ability to pay it. Not only will this tax allow for annual escalating increases, but it sets a dangerous precedent for the government to tax away your personal property.

The door is now open to taxing the value of your hard-earned assets and we are concerned that the NDP could lower the threshold and tax lower valued homes as well.

I believe that British Columbians should be protected from unfair and irresponsible taxes. If you agree, I urge you to contact the minister responsible, Carole James, at carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca to tell her to start standing up for British Columbians and get rid of the BC NDP's "School Tax."

Help me fight back. Make your voice heard.

Sincerely yours,

Andrew Wilkinson

Leader, BC Liberal Official Opposition

MLA, Vancouver - Quilchena