Kamloops city council has agreed to support the municipality of Sun Peaks as it seeks an exemption to the federal government’s ban on foreign nationals buying homes in Canada.
“Foreign owners are a very important part, and are committed regular visitors — so quite often we will see foreign owners coming back time and time again to Sun Peaks to contribute to the economy,” he said. “The hotel sector simply cannot provide the degree of accommodation that is needed. So these foreign owned properties certainly contribute back in that positive way.”
To be included in a central metropolitan area, a municipality must have a high degree of integration with a core area — but Hrycan said Sun Peaks doesn’t fit that definition. He acknowledged Sun Peaks isn’t without its housing challenges, noting the municipality has applied for grant funds to help boost affordable housing stock, and the resort employer is in the process of building more housing units for staff.