VICTORIA – Andrew Wilkinson’s policies would hurt renters and make the housing crisis worse, says BC NDP Housing Minister Selina Robinson.

“A half-hearted apology isn’t good enough if Andrew Wilkinson is going to roll back every action we have taken to tackle the housing crisis,” says Robinson. “His policies are even more out of touch than his words.”

Andrew Wilkinson has opposed nearly every major action taken by John Horgan’s government to support renters and tackle the housing crisis:

• Wilkinson opposes the government’s cap on rent increases;
• He has promised to cancel the speculation and vacancy tax, a measure to encourage more rental units and raise $180 million for investments in housing supply;
• He has promised to cancel the progressive component of the school tax on homes worth more than $3 million, a measure to cool the market and raise $200 million for investments in housing supply;
• He opposes government’s additional protections for renters on fixed term leases, or facing eviction.

“If Andrew Wilkinson was in power, rents would be higher right now and speculation would be continuing unchecked,” says Robinson. “If Andrew Wilkinson wants to prove that he cares about renters, he should stop promising to raise their rents.”