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B.C. Green Leader Andrew Weaver: renters’ rebate was a way to win votes not address affordability

Wed, Apr 12: In the first full day of election campaigning, the B.C. NDP is making a big promise. If elected on May 9, leader John Horgan is vowing to give renters a $400 rebate. Ted Chernecki explains how the plan would be rolled out and why some critics say it will not work – Apr 12, 2017

B.C.’s Green Leader Andrew Weaver wants the NDP to drop its $400 renters’ rebate grant promised during the campaign.

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“We share the same values about the importance of making rent affordable, however, their means for doing it was a gimmick,” said Weaver.

He said the NDP’s plan was a way to win votes instead of creating proper policies to address affordability.

“It is not fiscally prudent, all it does is cause rents to go up by $400 a year.”

The renters’ rebate is estimated to cost the province around $250 million a year, which, Weaver says, would be better spent on existing programs.

WATCH: Rental housing crunch in Vancouver

“There’s a safe program which assists seniors who spend more than 30 per cent of their income on rent, as well as the overall renters’ assistance program.”

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The government hasn’t said when, or if, it’s going to implement the rebate but a statement from the Finance Ministry says the government is “working on a long-term, comprehensive plan to make housing more affordable for people.”

The ministry says it’s also working on closing speculation loopholes and reducing tax fraud and money laundering in B.C.

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