National

BC United calls premier 'condo king' over his property sale; Eby says 'nonsense'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Oct, 2023 04:03 PM

The sale of Premier David Eby's condominium in Victoria has become embroiled in the debate over the New Democrat government's proposed law on short-term rental accommodations.

The Opposition BC United accused Eby on Tuesday of largely profiting from the sale of his condominium in 2019 because it was in a building complex that did not have rental restrictions.

Kevin Falcon is trying to create loopholes for real estate investors. We won’t let him.

While the BCU party is fighting for investors, our priority is helping people find a place to live. And we make no apology for that. pic.twitter.com/X4E9mj03yF
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 24, 2023

Housing critic Karin Kirkpatrick told the legislature that Eby sold the condo for $150,000 more than he originally paid, capitalizing on the province's explosion in short-term rentals.

False.

A common-sense limit of one short-term rental protects family property rights while blocking abuse by investors.

Ironic considering you sold your condo as a potential Airbnb opportunity. #bcpoli https://t.co/OlQlINVM0I
— Karin Kirkpatrick 🇨🇦 (@KirkpatrickWVC) October 24, 2023

Today in the Legislature, I introduced four common-sense amendments to fix the glaring flaws in the NDP's short-term rental legislation. The amendments ensure the following priorities are reflected in the Act: pic.twitter.com/mtJ04JVFkL
— Karin Kirkpatrick 🇨🇦 (@KirkpatrickWVC) October 24, 2023

The government introduced proposed legislation this month that takes aim at rapidly expanding short-term rentals in B.C. in an effort to increase badly needed long-term rental housing.

Renee Merrifield, an Opposition member of the legislature from Kelowna, referred to Eby in the house as "condo king," who cashed in by selling his Airbnb-friendly apartment.

But Eby calls the dispute a "manufactured scandal," saying he sold the condo where he was living with his family to buyers who bought the property for one of their children attending post-secondary education in Victoria.

"I did not market the property for short-term rental," Eby said at a news conference at the legislature.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

39 year old Burnaby man facing 9 child sex related charges

On March 3rd of last year police were contacted about allegations involving a man and a child victim whom the accused had initially met online, and later met in-person. On March 9th, following an extensive investigation, 39-year-old Adam Joseph Woolacott of Burnaby was charged with various sexual offences.

39 year old Burnaby man facing 9 child sex related charges

Burnaby RCMP issues public warning after phone scammer poses as Victim Services employee

The man, who had unfortunately lost money to a so-called grandparent scam last summer, received a phone call from a person claiming to work for Burnaby RCMP Victim Services who said she could help him recover the lost funds. The scammer verbally provided the legitimate Burnaby RCMP Victim Services phone number to the senior as a callback number.

Burnaby RCMP issues public warning after phone scammer poses as Victim Services employee

Former PM Brian Mulroney has prostate cancer

Mulroney, 84, was prime minister from 1984 to 1993, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives. While in office he negotiated the first free trade agreement with the U.S., which later became NAFTA.

Former PM Brian Mulroney has prostate cancer

B.C. to boost minimum wage to $16.75 an hour

A ministry statement says the wage increase matches B.C.'s 2022 average inflation rate and will benefit about 150,000 workers, most of them food service staff, grocery store workers, retail workers and others who were essential workers during the pandemic.

B.C. to boost minimum wage to $16.75 an hour

Trudeau calls landfill discovery heartbreaking

Trudeau says it's heartbreaking that discoveries like these continue to happen. The Winnipeg homicide unit says it started an investigation after staff at the Brady Road landfill south of the city found the body of 33-year-old Linda Mary Beardy on Monday.

Trudeau calls landfill discovery heartbreaking

Man accused of killing B.C. teen pleads not guilty

Ibrahim Ali pleaded not guilty and told the jury through an interpreter that he "did not kill Marrisa Shen." The body of the 13-year-old girl was found in Burnaby's Central Park on July 18, 2017, just hours after her mother had reported her missing.