VICTORIA (October 26, 2023) – BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has released the following statement on Bill 35, the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act:
“Following the NDP government’s rejection of our common-sense amendments aimed at regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb and achieving the necessary balance, we cannot support this legislation.
“It is now clear that, instead of providing real solutions, David Eby and the NDP are attempting to find scapegoats for their failure to meet their own housing targets.
“With the top one percent of Airbnb operators responsible for more than 20 percent of the company’s total revenue, it’s clear a common-sense approach is needed to address those who are buying up multiple units, and actually contributing to the housing crisis.
“Under my leadership, a Kevin Falcon-led government will:
- Restrict short-term rentals to a primary residence plus one additional property, striking a sensible balance that protects family hosts and prevents investor abuse.
- Ensure housing availability for students, nurses, doctors, and film and construction workers by defining short-term rentals as stays of 30 days or less.
- Grant exemptions for medical travel, such as cancer treatments.
- Implement time-limited exemptions for major events, like the Grey Cup or FIFA 2026, to avoid surges in the black-market rental industry.
“To make housing more affordable you need to make it less expensive. When we form government we will not only fix this flawed legislation, but build the homes people need while cutting the taxes, fees, and red tape that have forced far too many families to give up on the dream of homeownership.
“Only BC United will build the homes that B.C. needs to restore housing affordability.”
