Editor: Re: Rally protests renovictions, the Record, May 17
My mother has lived in that building for almost 30 years and at one time actually managed the building. Now at 83 she is being forced to move. Luckily our family was able to find her a place to go, unlike some of the other tenants who haven’t been able to find anything affordable. This should not be happening to these people or anyone for that matter. The tenants you spoke to in the article are absolutely right – this is all about greed, at the very least. If a renovation has to occur, which is understandable because a lot of the rentals in New Westminster are getting older, tenants should have the option of coming back to the same building at the same rent, and rents should be increased to current market rates through future vacancies.
I’m sure a lot of the people wouldn’t return just because of the hassle of moving twice, and then the greedy owners could start raking in their cash almost as quickly as they are now. When the NDP were elected they said they would do something to protect people, and we are all still waiting for that. I’m sure it would not be hard to pass legislation to protect renters in this province, and I hope they do so or they are going to lose a lot of votes.
Mike Smith, New Westminster
