Spencer Herbert speaking at the Rally for Renters' Rights
Vancouver-Burrard NDP MLA Spencer Herbert introduced today (November 27) a member’s bill to protect renters, including his own West End constituents, who are facing skyrocketing rents and eviction notices.
The 27-year-old rookie MLA’s bill is called the Long Term Renters Protection Act.
“In my constituency of Vancouver-Burrard, I’ve heard from many long-term residents who face possible rent increases of 30 percent, 50 percent and even upwards of 100 percent,” Herbert said in the legislature, according to the draft Hansard transcript. “These increases are over and above their annual allowable increase, which they’ve always paid—up to 100 percent. Many of these residents are seniors and people living on fixed incomes. None can afford these increases.”
Herbert added, “This current legislation makes a mockery of renter protection and a balanced renter-tenant relationship. This sort of practice is happening all over the province in this tight rental market. This bill will go a long way to fixing the unbalanced residential tenancy legislation and keep these people in their homes.”
In closing, Herbert said, “No other province allows this kind of thing to happen to renters. We shouldn’t here.”
On November 24, Herbert focused his debut speech in the legislature on the province’s handling of housing issues in downtown Vancouver.
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Photo stuartmatthews.ca
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