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Evictions protested – Metro US

Evictions protested

Twenty-two tenants facing eviction gathered outside the Berkeley Apartments in the West End to argue that minor, cosmetic renovations shouldn’t be enough to justify them losing their homes.

“What we’re seeing is the ‘Whistlerization’ of the West End,” said Mike Coates, a tenant who said he moved to the area to be close to his son. “Prices went way beyond the affordability of anybody and we’re seeing the same thing happen here.”

NDP MLA Spencer Herbert, who helped organize the rally, said B.C. needs a “right of first refusal” bill similar to the one introduced by the Ontario Liberals. “It’s a balance between landlords and tenants to stop these kinds of evictions just so you can drive up the rents,” he said.