Dix calling on premier to give renters power

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It’s time to end renovictions and give more power to renters.  Adrian Dix is calling on Premier Christy Clark to make some big changes.

Dix stood outside the West End’s Emerald Terrace tower, ground zero for the renoviction debate, where he explained he wants to make things fair for tenants.

“To give tenants the right of first refusal, to stop the process of renovictions, where properties are upgraded in some ways and then rents are jacked up hugely.  We think tenants should have the right to first refusal at their existing rents and I’ll make those changes happen.”

“We’d like to see tenants’ assistance.  People able to advocate for tenants, particularly in a city such as Vancouver.  My constituency in the east side of Vancouver is one of the most diverse in British Columbia,” adds Dix.

He’s also pledging a Tenants Assistance program to help renters argue their cases and make statistics on evictions public.

Christine Ackermann with the West End Residents Association is wondering if Premier Clark will listen, given who backed her leadership campaign.

“Well, unfortunately, the new premier is receiving donations from Hollyburn Properties and corporate development companies.  So unfortunately I don’t think she is hearing the tenants, and I would challenge her on her Families First platform.”

Ackermann spoke outside the West End’s Emerald Terrace tower, which is owned by Hollyburn Properties.

 

Dix’s five-point plan

1. Eliminating the BC Liberals’ regulation that allows landlords to push long term tenants out with massive rent hikes on the basis that neighbouring renters pay more.

2. Adding to the tenancy act the right for existing tenants to move into a renovated suite at the previous rent.

3. Disallowing voluntary rent increase agreements that landlords use to intimidate tenants into accepting higher rents

4. Establishing a “Tenants’ Assistant” program to provide renters with information and advocacy services.

5. Requiring the Residential Tenancy Office to track and make public the statistics on evictions: for example, how many eviction notices were filed, in what areas, and how many of them were disputed and overturned. 

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