A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000, with 50,000 or more living in the core. A CA must have a population of at least 10,000.

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act applies to anyone who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a person under the Indian Act nor a permanent resident. Certain exceptions for specific groups of non-Canadians are outlined in the Regulations.

The Act also applies to corporations and entities formed under the laws of Canada or a province, not listed on a stock exchange in Canada and controlled by someone who is a non-Canadian, as outlined in greater detail above.

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act applies to direct or indirect purchases of residential property.

There are some situations where this doesn’t apply, including:

• when a non-Canadian acquires an interest in a residential property because of a divorce, separation, gift, or death
• when a non-Canadian rents a dwelling unit for the purpose of occupying the dwelling unit – in other words, a non-Canadian who is renting and occupying the dwelling unit does not constitute a purchase
• when a creditor exercises a security interest or secured right, such as the seizure and foreclosure of a residential property, or
• when a non-Canadian purchases residential property for the purposes of development

The short answer is.... yes and no. In certain regions, specifically the Capital Regional District (Victoria), the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Metro Vancouver Regional District, Central Okanagan and Nanaimo Regional districts you will pay. In other areas such as the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and other regional districts spread out around the province you do not have to pay. 

In BC, the tax is 20% of the fair market value of the property. Learn more...

***Note: The Capital Regional District includes all of the Gulf Islands.

The following documents can be used to demonstrate compliance with the Act:

• work or study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• verification of status issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• other documents that show they reside in Canada and can establish the length of time they have resided in Canada to meet an exception to the prohibition (for example, rental agreements, utility bills, or records of travel in and out of the country)

No. The Act doesn’t apply to non-Canadian spouses and common-law partners, if they purchase residential property in Canada with their spouse or common-law partner who is a:

• Canadian citizen, or
• person registered under the Indian Act, or
• permanent resident, or
• non-Canadian for whom the prohibition does not apply

Non-Canadians can purchase residential property located outside of a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) or a Census Agglomeration (CA).

The Regulations include an exception for any residential property found outside of a CMA or CA as identified in Statistics Canada’s Standard Geographical Classification 2021.

Both CMAs and CAs are formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centered on a population centre, or the core.

Yes, as of March 27, 2023, the prohibition does not apply to vacant land.

Yes and no...

No, if the residential properties, including recreational properties such as summer cottages and vacation homes, are located outside of a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) or Census Agglomeration (CA), they are exempt from the prohibition.

Yes, if the residential properties, including recreational properties, are located within a CMA or CA, they are subject to the prohibition.

1. Purchasing with a Spouse or Common-Law Partner
   A Non-Canadian can purchase property if they do so with their Spouse or Common-Law Partner.
2. Temporary Residents
   This includes international students or individuals with a work permit. Temporary residents must meet certain criteria, which differ for students and workers.
3. Acquisition by Death, Divorce, Separation, or Gift
   The legislation prohibits a Non-Canadian from "purchasing" property. However, acquiring property through inheritance, divorce, separation, or as a gift is not considered a purchase.
4. Vacant Land
   The Ban applies to Residential Property. Initially, vacant land was also included in this definition. However, the regulations have been amended, and now vacant land can once again be purchased by Non-Canadians.
5. A Property Not Located Within a "CA” or a “CMA”
   If a property is not within a census agglomeration or a census metropolitan area (basically, not in or near a city or large town), it is excluded from the ban. This means Non-Canadians can buy residential properties in these rural areas.