BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan announced today that the BC Greens will protect renters by immediately reinstating the Community Housing Fund, implementing vacancy control, ending pet bans, among other supports.

“I’m one of the 33% of British Columbians who are renters,” said Lowan. “I know firsthand how demoralising and nerve-wracking the experience of trying to find affordable housing can be, even more so when the government has walked away from protecting renters. That’s why the BC Greens are stepping up with a plan to deliver affordability for renters and protect them from the people trying to profit off of the housing crisis.”

“In 1973, BC NDP Premier Dave Barrett passed vacancy control, which ties allowable rent increases to units, not individual tenants, to fight a spiralling cost-of-living crisis and low vacancy rates. It was effective and popular, yet was stripped away by the following conservative government,” said Lowan. “The BC Greens have proposed this same legislation, yet have been shut down by Eby’s BC NDP, the same government that cancelled the Community Housing Fund and broke its promise to end pet bans. This announcement makes it clear: we’ll stand up against corporate landlords, David Eby and the Conservatives won’t.”

The BC Greens also announced two new candidates for the South Island: Sidney Coles in Esquimalt-Colwood and Andrew Appleton in Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

Sidney Coles is a journalist, communications professional, researcher and former public servant whose career has focused on building stronger, more inclusive communities. Sidney holds two PhDs from the University of Toronto, has worked closely with Indigenous and government leadership, and has worked with Doctors Without Borders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “As a reporter in the Capital Regional District, I have come to understand the unique nature and scale of the challenges facing this area” said Coles. “I want to support Esquimalt and Colwood in continuing to be places where people and their families feel welcome, safe, and are able to thrive.”

Andrew Appleton has served as a municipal councillor for the District of Oak Bay for the past 8 years. He chaired the District’s Community Climate Action Working Group, which launched the successful Coolkit community climate initiative. Andrew is deeply rooted in his community, from being a coach with Bays United, to being on the board of the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network, he is committed to serving his neighbours.  “I’ve been on the front lines of where provincial policies land, and I’ve witnessed how those policies created issues for our residents,” said Appleton. “As a councillor, I’ve championed housing affordability, active transportation, and climate action. Those that have seen my work on council and the Greater Victoria Library Board know that I am always one to advocate for forward thinking, creativity, and action on the issues that matter—and I speak up. 

“Sidney and Andrew are the advocates the South Island, and British Columbia, need,” said Lowan. “They are incredibly experienced, deeply committed to fighting for their communities, and will be formidable additions to the BC Green caucus.”