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The Government of British Columbia needs to take swift action to reduce bad-faith evictions.

BC has the highest rate of eviction in Canada and a high rate of no-fault evictions (evictions that are not caused by non-payment of rent, broken lease, or a disruptive tenant). Studies show that British Columbians are 30% more likely to experience a no-fault eviction than tenants in other province. In our FIRST UNITED BC Eviction Map report, “landlord’s use” accounted for 62% of reported evictions.

Our BC Eviction Map, the first of its kind in the province, tracks the impact of evictions, who they’re happening to, and where. We’re using this data to create a law reform platform to advocate to the provincial government for systemic change.

As part of work to change systems and structures that are perpetuating homelessness and poverty, we’ve outlined law reform recommendations to reduce bad-faith evictions. The six recommendations are in the petition below. Details can be found in our law reform platform Everyone Needs a Home: Solutions for Preventing Homelessness, Evictions, and Displacement.

You have the power to influence change. Sign the petition today and call on BC’s Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon, to prioritize these changes to combat the ongoing eviction crisis.

Sources:

• https://news.ubc.ca/2023/05/15/bc-still-eviction-capital-of-canada/
• https://firstunited.ca/how-we-help/bc-eviction-mapping/

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This letter writing campaign is now closed. As of April 2024, a total of 606 letters were sent to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. Below are the contents of the original letter:

Dear Minister Kahlon,

I am concerned that BC is experiencing an eviction crisis, and I call on the BC government to do more to protect tenants who are at risk of eviction. Data show that most evictions in BC are due to no fault of the tenant, with “landlord’s use” reported as the reason for 62% of evictions in FIRST UNITED’s BC Eviction Mapping research.

Reforms need to be made to prevent bad-faith evictions that put tenants at risk of neighbourhood displacement, extreme rent increases, loss of access to community services, health issues, and homelessness. As we know from the 2023 Greater Vancouver Homelessness Count, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness has increased and we must take bold actions today to prevent others from finding themselves in similar situations.

I urge you to take immediate action and prioritize FIRST UNITED’s law reform platform which includes:

1. Reducing unnecessary and bad-faith evictions
2. Proportionality and making eviction a last resort
3. Improving procedural fairness and appeal rights
4. Protecting tenants from illegal conduct
5. Preventing rent gouging and stabilizing rent (vacancy control)
6. Diversity and inclusion in housing

I call on you, the Minister of Housing of British Columbia, to prioritize these changes to combat the worsening eviction crisis.

Sincerely,

[Name]