MLA Kirkpatrick introduces bill to protect tourism-dependent communities
Today, BC United Shadow Minister for Housing Karin Kirkpatrick introduced a private member’s bill in the B.C. Legislature that would exempt purpose-built short-term rental units from David Eby and the NDP’s short-sighted short-term rental ban, protecting B.C.’s tourism industry and upholding private property rights.
“Last fall, BC United presented a series of common-sense solutions to help fix the glaring flaws in the NDP’s rushed short-term rental legislation, yet the NDP government opposed each of our proposals. Today, we’re again calling on David Eby to fix this flawed legislation and support our bill exempting purpose-built short-term rental units from the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act,” said MLA Kirkpatrick. “The introduction of this amendment is a direct response to the public outcry against the NDP’s flawed housing policy. Our proposed legislation will fix these sloppy errors, preserving the vital economic benefits of tourism-dependent communities across B.C.”
BC United is proposing amendments to the NDP’s legislation that would allow lawfully operating short-term rentals to continue. This bill will provide some hope to municipalities like Parksville, Victoria, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, which have designated tourism zones heavily reliant on legally operating purpose-built short-term accommodations. These properties, unsuitable for long-term residential use, are vital for job creation and economic growth in their communities. Keeping them vacant, as the current NDP rental ban effectively ensures, will only serve to further damage local economies.
“Our bill is the result of listening to the people impacted by the NDP’s failed legislation and hearing their very real concerns,” Kirkpatrick added. “The NDP must recognize the impact on the tourism sector and the livelihoods of those involved, and the need to exempt lawfully operating purpose-built short-term rentals from their flawed legislation. It is disappointing it has come to this, but it’s time David Eby and the NDP acknowledge the consequences of their legislation and adopt our ready-to-go plan that will fix this mess and bring relief to B.C. communities.”