VICTORIA – Yesterday, Andrew Wilkinson described renting as “a fact of life that’s a rite of passage” and “a wacky time of life.”

He also criticized the NDP’s action to prevent a 4.5% rent hike and to better protect tenants from evictions due to renovations and demolitions.

During budget debate in the legislature, Wilkinson said:

“We’ve seen the same attitude with this government’s approach to rentals. “Let’s protect the renters.” I was a renter for 15 years. I lived in a dozen different rentals. It was challenging at times, but it was fun. It was part of growing up and getting better. We’ve all done it. It’s kind of a wacky time of life, but it can be really enjoyable. Being a renter is a fact of life that’s a rite of passage.

“What this government has done is try to pander to renters with their $400 renters rebate, which suddenly vaporized. There’s no sign of it two years into their mandate. Nothing has been done. They’ve put all kinds of restricted caps on the behaviour of landlords around changing rents, long-term leases and renovation of apartments. The net effect is that people are getting out of the landlord market. Why would you go and take that on?”

BC NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert:

“Andrew Wilkinson is showing that he just doesn’t understand the challenges faced by regular British Columbians. Renting is not just a wacky and fun phase for most people, especially after the BC Liberals let the cost of home ownership skyrocket for years. Now Andrew Wilkinson is proposing to increase rents further, making life even harder and more expensive for renters.”