NDP Bill Toughens Protection For Tenants Faced With Mass Eviction
Tenants such as those at Hollyburn buildings would be covered by Thorne’s legislation
VANCOUVER – The mass evictions from several Hollyburn properties in Metro Vancouver demonstrate the Campbell government’s failure to protect tenants, New Democrat housing critic Diane Thorne said today as she unveiled a private members bill to improve the Residential Tenancy Act.
"Mass evictions across Metro Vancouver are adding to the affordable housing crisis," said Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Thorne. "It’s not good enough for the Campbell government to stand back and watch as people lose their homes.
Diane Thorne
"That’s why I will introduce legislation next week to protect tenants from quick and easy mass evictions by landlords attempting to redevelop affordable housing into high rental units or condos," said Thorne.
Thorne unveiled her legislation at Vancouver's Glenmore building where tenants have recently been served eviction notices by Hollyburn Properties. Hollyburn has already evicted tenants at several other buildings in Metro Vancouver, all under the auspices of required renovations.
Thorne’s bill extends the required notice for evictions from two months to four months. It also provides tenants the option to move back into their homes after renovations are complete under the same tenancy agreement and within the existing guidelines for rent increases.
“These measures make it less attractive for large property owners to engage in mass evictions purely for the sake of increased profit,” said Thorne.
Thorne said her bill is modeled after similar legislation passed in Ontario in 2006.
Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant MLA Jenny Kwan joined Thorne at the Glenmore.
Jenny Kwan"The Campbell government doesn’t care about tenant protection and they are way behind other provinces," said Kwan. "It’s time for B.C. to take action that would help stem the worsening shortage of affordable housing.”
The MLAs were joined by Craig Adlard, a tenant from The Glenmore who faces eviction, and Sharon Isaak, a spokesperson for Renters at Risk who was evicted from Hollyburns' Bay Towers.
