New Democrats call for concrete action to protect tenants

Time to Send a Message to Campbell to Stop Ignoring Tenant Rights, says James

VANCOUVER - Today New Democrat leader Carole James joined by-election candidates Spencer Herbert and Jenn McGinn to launch a three-point plan to protect the rights of tenants in rental apartments.

James said the New Democrats are calling for three concrete actions: the re-establishment of a residential tenancy office in Vancouver; the end to unfair evictions due to renovations; and an immediate re-investment in social housing.

"Especially in Vancouver, where so many people rent, a residential tenancy office helps protect tenants' rights. Anyone who rents knows the importance of this service, particularly during a tight rental market, but rather than protecting tenant rights Gordon Campbell shut down the office," said James.

"It's time to send Gordon Campbell a message that he can't continue to brush off the rights of tenants. Next week's by-election gives voters the chance to send New Democrat MLAs to Victoria who will stand up for tenants and hold Gordon Campbell accountable."

Before the Campbell government closed the West End residential tenancy office in 2002, it served over 10,000 people a year, helping both renters and landlords with issues such as damage deposits, evictions, and renovations.

James also noted that the New Democrats have been fighting to protect the rights of tenants being evicted due to renovations or conversion to condos, and have introduced a private member's bill to that effect.

"Too many people are finding themselves kicked to the curb as their apartments are renovated or turned into condos, but rather than coming back to the legislature to work for a solution to important issues like this, Gordon Campbell cancelled the fall session," said James.

"Especially in a time of economic turmoil, British Columbians deserve real leadership on important issues like affordable housing. But all we've seen from Gordon Campbell is rhetoric and empty promises."

James said that the lack of provincial government funding for social housing is a key factor in the homelessness crisis in Vancouver.

"The evidence of Gordon Campbell's band-aid approach to homelessness is there for all to see: homelessness has spiked by 364 per cent in Vancouver since 2002, and an even greater number of people are at risk of ending up on the streets," said James.

James noted the Campbell government's decision to cancel the Homes BC program in 2002 has resulted in 4,000 fewer units of social housing being built over the previous six years.