National

B.C. Opposition demands audit of housing providers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Nov, 2022 04:48 PM

VICTORIA - British Columbia's Opposition Liberals are calling for independent audits of two social housing providers as Premier David Eby marks his first days in office by setting out plans to tackle the housing crisis.

Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon says Eby must launch independent reviews at BC Housing and Atira Women's Resources Society after leaked reports indicated mismanagement.

After newly installed NDP Premier David Eby appeared in the @BCLegislature for just one day of being held accountable to British Columbians, he decided to head to Vancouver today to dodge important questions from the Official Opposition. #BCpoli pic.twitter.com/Drr413UwvI
— Kevin Falcon (@KevinFalcon) November 22, 2022

BC Housing is a Crown corporation that develops, manages and administers subsidized housing in the province, while Atira is a not-for-profit housing provider.

Falcon's demands for audits come as Eby is scheduled to speak at a Vancouver housing conference where advocates, policymakers and front-line providers explore ways to deliver safe and affordable housing in the province.

Eby's government tabled two pieces of legislation Monday aiming to work with municipal governments to build more homes and increase rental properties by relaxing restrictions at apartment and condominium complexes.

By working together, we will find solutions to the housing crisis. Join us live as I address the @BCNPHA's #HousingCentral Conference ⬇️https://t.co/mE3ivTA41D
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) November 22, 2022

Eby says B.C. is in the midst of a housing crisis and the province needs to increase the supply of homes to meet growing demand.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

13 years for Amanda Todd's tormentor

Justice Martha Devlin of the B.C. Supreme Court says Aydin Coban's calculated conduct caused the girl mental anguish and social isolation, contributing to her suicide after he told Todd he would ruin her life. The sentence is longer than the 12 years suggested by the Crown, but Devlin said Coban's conduct calls for "sharp rebuke."

13 years for Amanda Todd's tormentor

Surrey RCMP locate a stolen motorcycle and illicit drugs, suspect in custody

Police located just under 600 grams of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in a satchel believed to have been discarded by the suspect while he fled from police. Through additional investigative steps, it was determined that the motorcycle was stolen on September 20, 2022 while being test driven by a potential buyer.

Surrey RCMP locate a stolen motorcycle and illicit drugs, suspect in custody

Workers, employers want feds to pay off EI debt

The program, which is financed entirely through premiums paid by workers and employers, accumulated $25.9 billion of debt by the end of 2021, according to the Office of the Chief Actuary. The rise in debt comes after a staggering number of Canadians were unemployed during the pandemic and eligibility rules for the program were relaxed to ease access to jobless benefits.

Workers, employers want feds to pay off EI debt

How the B.C. drought benefits some farmers

British Columbia is enduring a record-breaking dry spell, but farmer Amir Mann says the drought is far preferable to other recent weather extremes. Mann and others involved in agriculture say the downside of the drought, which has required some crops to be irrigated, is offset by benefits such as a longer harvesting period and little rot.

How the B.C. drought benefits some farmers

Wildfire flares on Vancouver's North Shore

West Vancouver Fire Rescue duty chief Matt Furlot says crews responded at around 7 a.m. He said they were trying to pinpoint the exact location of the fire and the best way to access to the flames.

Wildfire flares on Vancouver's North Shore

VPD arrests suspect in two sexual assaults

At 7:30 p.m. on July 6, a 24-year-old woman reported she had been sexually assaulted while on the escalator at the Granville SkyTrain Station by a suspect who ran away. The investigation was completed by Metro Vancouver Transit Police. A second incident occurred the following day on West Broadway at Ash Street. Just before 2 p.m. a 38-year-old woman was sexually assaulted.