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...as the article states...

Foreign investors drive up costs for locals. Locals unhappy, add tax for foreign investors. Foreign investors potentially wronged because of various agreements Canada has joined limiting protectionist actions like these.

Or read the article, that'll answer your question.

It's free money, and it looks really good as protecting local interests. A Chinese or Russian millionaire looking to buy property in Vancouver is going to buy whether it's $5 million or $5.75 million

>A Chinese or Russian millionaire looking to buy property in Vancouver is going to buy whether it's $5 million or $5.75 million

I don't know why you believe this to be true but it isnt

Property ownership is often subsidized, maybe they feel this is just rebalancing the subsidy for the people they don't want to subsidize? (Just a guess, I don't actually know)