BCGEU joins the call for the province to implement vacancy control in B.C.

As B.C.’s housing crisis deepens by a lack of supply and ever increasing rental costs, a rally was held outside the legislature calling for vacancy control in the province.

As B.C.’s housing crisis deepens by a lack of supply and ever increasing rental costs, a rally was held outside the legislature calling for vacancy control in the province.

“People simply cannot afford to pay rent in the increases that are being demanded of them,” said one speaker at the rally.

That’s the message being put forth by a number of advocates.

“Wages are not keeping up with the cost of rent,” said another attendee.

One in three people in British Columbia call themselves renters. Some say they are being evicted through legal loopholes so landlords can raise the rent on their unit.

“Vacancy control is a housing policy that has worked in the past,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BC General Employees Union.

The BCGEU is one of the largest labour unions in the province, representing more than 85,000 members. It is now joining the call for vacancy control in B.C., saying the union can’t negotiate pay raises to keep up with rising rents.