B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson, who was widely criticized Thursday (Feb. 28) for saying that struggling to pay rent is challenging but also “fun” and “a rite of passage,” has taken to Twitter to rephrase his comments.
Wilkinson made the controversial statement in the legislature Wednesday, during a discussion on upcoming changes to the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act. He said, “I rented for over 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.”
Here's the video of Andrew Wilkinson saying that being a renter is "fun," "part of growing up and getting better," and "kind of a wacky time of life." pic.twitter.com/Rp52sFnBTV
— Justin McElroy (@j_mcelroy) February 28, 2019
The Liberal leader added that, by imposing rent caps and stricter rules on tenant protections, the current NDP government is making it harder for landlords, which ultimately reduces rental supply.
Struggling to locate or maintain a roof for one's family is not "fun". Moving from place to place against one's wishes is not fun. Losing sleep over fears of how one will pay rent that eats the majority of one's monthly income is not "fun". #wackytime #bcpoli https://t.co/M7ICIUWfK3
— Jagrup Brar (@JagrupBrar1) March 1, 2019
NDP housing minister Selina Robinson was quick to criticize the comments, saying that Wilkinson’s comments “demonstrate how the B.C. Liberals are out of touch.” The Twitterverse also jumped on Wilkinson’s statements with an array of responses, largely slamming the Liberal leader’s position.
The debate comes in the week that the City of Vancouver implemented new rental guidelines that have been criticized over the rent prices that the city describes as "affordable."
Also this week, an online campaign in support of renters called Stand Up For Renters was launched, calling in B.C. NDP Premier John Horgan to implement the changes recommended by the party’s Rental Housing Task Force.
— Joannah Connolly, Glacier Media Real Estate
