jamesvancouver via Getty Images An aerial view of Vancouver at sunset. The B.C. government is going ahead with a speculation and vacancy tax meant to cool off the housing market.

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government has introduced a speculation and vacancy tax that Finance Minister Carole James says will moderate the overheated housing market and create more homes for renters.

James says the aim of the tax is to improve housing affordability for thousands of people, including seniors forced to live in their vehicles and young professionals who leave the province because they can't find a place to live.

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