and Airbnb have reached an agreement that will see the online short-term rental company collect provincial and municipal taxes through its platform. "This initiative will provide additional revenues to address housing affordability and it improves tax fairness for all British Columbians." But this is the first time Airbnb has reached an agreement with a province on remitting PST. Cities can still regulateKaren Sawatzky, a researcher who has studied the effects of short-term rental properties in Vancouver, said the announcement would help create a more level playing field between Airbnb and hotel operators. It's good that the provincial tax that we collect through this will go to affordable housing, but we need to be protecting our existing rental stock from conversions," she said.

Source: CBC News February 07, 2018 19:09 UTC