In case you haven’t heard, David Eby is running to be the next premier of British Columbia, and there’s a buzz of excitement from commentators about what that could mean for BC’s housing unaffordability policies. But does Eby’s record and proposals match the progressive veneer he’s cultivated for himself?

Background:

It’s been three years since the provincial government’s Rental Housing Task Force delivered their report calling to “Stop Renovictions”. Since then, the government has been slow to make this happen.

Five months after the disappointing Rental Housing Task Force report, the provincial government is still dragging its heels on action against renovictions and other tenant protections.

Five months on from the disappointing Rental Housing Task Force report, provincial government drags its heels on action against renovictions and other tenant protections

The 2018 Rental Housing Task Force (RHTF) was meant to “advise on how to improve security and fairness for renters and rental housing providers throughout the province."  However, from its outset the consultation process did not take into account the inherent power imbalances between landlords and renters.

On December 4th Vancouver city council voted unanimously in favor of an amended motion to ban renovictions.

It is a partial victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Prepared by the Vancouver Tenants Union Policy Team