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Vancouver city council breaks for the night after 57 speakers chime in on renovictions

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The hot topic of renovictions has been up for discussion at Vancouver City Hall and nearly 100 people have signed up to speak, as council considers beefing up protections for renters.

Councillor Jean Swanson has tabled a motion to strengthen the city’s Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy by expanding the reach of the current tenant protection policy, requiring landlords to offer temporary move-outs during renovations, and pressure the province to implement its own vacancy controls.

So far, most speakers are strongly in favour of the motion.

Joey Doyle with the Vancouver Tenants Union says this issue has produced countless stories of suffering and hardship.

“This is the human cost of the housing crisis and this is the human cost of renovictions,” he told the council. “If you don’t respond in a measure equal to that crisis, then you’re failing the citizens of Vancouver.”

“Under the current system, it benefits landlords to let their homes fall into disrepair,” says another speaker. “If they can evict tenants to renovate and then raise the rent, it’s a financial incentive for them not to perform routine maintenance.”

After 57 speakers from a total of 93, council broke for the night and will resume Wednesday at 5 p.m.

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