Municipal Election Survey

• Nelson’s 2024 Municipal Housing Needs Report and 2026 Housing Dashboard note:

  • Since 2014, Nelson’s rental vacancy rate has been between 0%-0.5%, while a “healthy” vacancy rate is generally considered to be between 3%-5%. 

  • 139 affordable and 56 deeply subsidized housing units are required by 2029, expanding to 439 units and 133 units, respectively, over the next 20 years.

  • Renter households are 4x more likely to be in core housing need than owners. 

  • The city met 46% of its construction goals for housing built between 2020-2025:

    • 0 units of affordable housing (rental or ownership units that are subsidized to below market prices) were given permits, failing the goal of 303 units.

    • 71 rental units in the category of deeply affordable housing (for people on social assistance or who need housing that offers additional supports) were given building permits, exceeding the goal of 56 units. 

• The 2025 Nelson Committee on Homelessness report identified the following:

  • 122 homeless individuals were identified during their Point In Time survey, representing a 45% increase from the 2022 survey and 33% increase from the average of the 2016, 2018, and 2022 surveys.

  • 56% of those currently experiencing homelessness have been without stable, long-term housing for a year or longer, compared to just 24% in 2018.

  • The median cost of rent increasing by $100 is associated with a 9% increase in the homelessness rate.

• The provincial government’s 2026 budget cut the Community Housing Fund, resulting in the cancellation of the 50 unit building being developed by Nelson CARES Society at the corner of Front and Cedar Streets. The project would have provided:

  • 15 units priced at near-market rent ($750-$1,300 monthly depending on  household income and unit size).

  • 25 units would be priced based on 30% of a renter's income.

  • 10 units would be for people earning less than $30,000 annually.

• During the 2021 heat dome event, 619 people in B.C. died from extreme heat due to a lack of residential air conditioning, with 99% of these deaths occurring inside residences. To help address this, the B.C. government introduced a regulation for mandatory air conditioning, but which only applies to newly built homes.

• UBC’s Balanced Supply of Housing group notes that no-fault evictions (caused by the landlord wanting to sell, renovate, demolish, or use the unit for themselves) in B.C. account for 85% of evictions, compared to 65% nationally. No-fault evictions and predatory practices such as AI-powered rental pricing are a prevalent issue with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and other multi-unit landlords.

“How will you work to end homelessness in Nelson and provide full-spectrum social supports?”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

To end homelessness we need to move away from seeing housing as merely a financial vehicle/investment. The city, had up until the provincial government "Paused" the community housing fund donated land to specifically build non market, deeply affordable housing in partnership with BCHousing and Nelson Cares and SHARE housing.

in regard to healthcare and social service supports these fall under provincial jurisdiction. the city's role here is in advocating. As a health care professional, I have been advocating on behalf of our social service agencies and providers for more consistent funding for years as well as the much need expansion of services beyond harm reduction.

We also have Nelson at its Best that is doing great advocacy work in the area of poverty reduction, via their Together Nelson strategy

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

The role of local government is to collaborate, advocate and access senior government funds for solutions to homelessnes. Examining what is in process and what has been eliminated as a solution will be a first step. I would like to explore Nelson owned land to see if it can be used as leverage to build affordable housing or reduce taxes on secondary suites. I am an advocate for Housing First and know its difficult with so few vacancies and student and ski season rentals to access dispersed units to add to inventory to address homelessness.

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I believe housing is a human right, and addressing homelessness requires action across the entire housing continuum. We need supportive and deeply affordable housing for people in crisis, alongside genuinely affordable rental housing that helps prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

The City can make appropriate municipal land available for non-market housing, reduce barriers for nonprofit housing providers, and work closely with organizations already providing housing, outreach and social supports. I would also advocate to BC Housing and senior governments for supportive housing, mental-health care, harm-reduction services and other resources outside municipal jurisdiction.

Prevention is essential. Keeping people safely and securely housed before they reach a point of crisis is better for individuals and for the community as a whole.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Primarily it is the Province's responsibility to support the mental health, addictions, income assistance and supportive housing.

However, the city has an important role through zoning, land usage, approvals & partnerships. Groups like the Nelson Community Services, are a great example on how the needs of certain groups or individuals can be provided. As a former Nelson Paramedic, I saw the need for the support and I would continue those conversations in order to obtain the appropriate community support. A 2024 report estimates that over 3,100 new residences will be needed and the Updated 2025 OCP provides some framework for our housing growth.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I would like the City’s advocacy for housing and the supports people need to remain housed to continue. The City has worked with local partners, from the North Shore Inn and Elephant Mountain Supported Housing to Nelson CARES’ developments and the SHARE Nelson project. With limited room to grow in Nelson, we need to work with regional partners in the RDCK and surrounding communities to create more housing options.

For full-spectrum social supports, I would revisit a drop-in centre like the HUB, where people could access services without judgment: showers and clean clothes, public-health nurses, counselling, and help navigating income or disability assistance. The City cannot deliver these services alone, but I would work to bring service providers, the health authority and other appropriate levels of government to the table.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I would build on the work of Nelson CARES, the Nelson Committee on Homelessness, and local service providers, working with Interior Health, BC Housing and Indigenous partners to identify gaps and advocate for coordinated, reliable services.

That includes emergency shelter, outreach, food, hygiene facilities and pathways into permanent housing.

I would also support using the City’s planning tools and housing partnerships to create more affordable, supportive homes, while advocating for supports that help people stay housed.

Some people may need an affordable rental and help accessing benefits. Others need ongoing assistance with daily living, mental health care, addiction treatment, harm reduction or recovery supports. I believe that people should be able to access appropriate care without navigating a confusing system alone.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Continue to partner with non-profits, and advocate at the provincial level for more funding. (The development on front street would have been a step in the right direction.) More projects like that and more emphasis on affordable units in otherwise market housing as a condition on development.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

In my opinion homelessness is not a something that ends, that is not a realistic in today world. It is something that needs to be managed as best as possible with the available resources that we have as a community in relation to all the other needs and pressures of other parts of our community as a whole. In today world, municipalities are massively affected by local as well national and global forces such as climate change and economic impacts. These forces are not in the control of a small municipality like Nelson let alone larger urban centers or entire counties like Canada. We can as a community work to mitigate and reduce the impacts of these forces that aggravate homelessness but, like the climate crisis, they will continue to cause effects and ripples through are community and exacerbate an issues like homelessness.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Continue to advocate to BC Housing and work with local partners to provide different types of shelter on the housing continuum.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

As I have. I would continue to work with BC Housing and all housing proponents from our non-profits, societies to private market to develop the missing 2 bedroom and 3+ bedroom non-market purpose built rentals missing from our community.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I have been attending the Nelson Committee on Homelessness meeting for more than four years and reporting on the meeting at council.

I chair the Nelson Housing Committee where we are collaborating around creative housing solutions.

We are in the process of adding a significant number of supportive housing units to the city with the opening of 45 Government Road this week and the renovation of the North Shore Inn at the end of 2027. The next step is complex care beds and residential recovery and supported recovery beds. The support of all levels of government is needed and we can advocate to the provincial government through UBCM.

“How will you increase investment in social housing, including barrier-free and supportive options? (e.g. creating a city-owned public housing developer, advocating for a public housing developer at the Union of BC Municipalities, raising affordable unit minimums above 30% per development, etc.)”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

It was determined after extensive review of options by M'akola Development Services, that Nelson already had highly skilled providers that already had proven track record in non profit housing development and importantly successful relationships with BC housing (SHARE/Nelsoncares) such that creating a city-owned public housing developer was not seen as necessary. the Whistler Housing Authority is often cited as the gold standard that we should emulate but what is often left out of the conversation is they were given a significant parcel of land from the government as well as several millions dollars to cover initial costs.

I am always open to considering other options that are financially feasible

Im the meantime I will continue to lobby for the Provincial government to reinstate the Community Housing Fund as well as advocating for a share of the $83B the Federal government has committed for housing

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

I very much favour a housing authority similar to Whistler.

I think ensuring new developments reach a true level of affordability as a percentage of units is the first hurdle. If money is exchanged in lieu of affordable builds the financial recuperation should be a decent percentage of market sales so the city can invest in affordable units

elsewhere. I dont know if the community has received a fair percentage of funds toward a housing fund. The city once identified small parcels of land that could be available for housing. Can they be used as leverage to seek developers to invest in modest home development ?

Many working families require homes that are rented for 30% of incomes between $30,000 and $40,000 which is difficult to achieve with market rent. Investigating venture capital projects with a slower payback could be a tool but more information is needed.

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I want Nelson to be proactive about expanding non-market, affordable, accessible and supportive housing. I support using appropriate City-owned land, partnering with nonprofit housing providers, streamlining approvals, pursuing provincial and federal funding, and exploring additional municipal or regional capacity for developing and acquiring non-market housing.

I also support exploring stronger affordability requirements for new development, informed by financial analysis so they result in homes people can actually afford. As Nelson grows, accessibility and climate resilience should be built in from the beginning, with barrier-free and adaptable homes, meaningful green space, and opportunities for community and rooftop gardens.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I believe that the City of Nelson has done a good job with regard to the number of affordable housing units that have been available, but is it enough? The City of Nelson through many of its partnerships have supported developers who completed many local projects. The city could continue to support proposals to achieve affordability goals in the community. I could support and advocate for new city run facilities, if the cost was examined, alongside the effectiveness and financial risk profile. It is important to have set goals that are financially obtainable so programs can become successful.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Council does not solely have the resources for housing. The City’s resources are finite and largely come from property taxes; raising them makes affordability worse. I see Council’s main role as advocating for the community with other levels of government. I support increased provincial and federal investment in social housing, including barrier-free and supportive options, and reinstating the Community Housing Fund.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

The list of examples are all options I would like to know more about. Council has practical tools to support more social housing, including barrier-free and supportive options: land-use decisions, approvals, partnerships and, where available and appropriate, City land. I would support using those tools to help non-profit housing providers create homes, while advocating for provincial and federal funding for both construction and ongoing operations.

I would like to see a focus on 2 and 3 bedroom family homes as I believe there is a great need for families in Nelson.

I would also push for accessibility and support needs to be considered from the start, so that new housing serves people with a range of incomes, abilities and care needs.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Same answer as above. We need to realize that not all housing is equal and focus on bringing the housing that people need to Nelson.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

In terms of supportive housing Nelson punches way above its weight in relation to other small municipalities across BC. Other municipalities look to Nelson as an example of how to get social housing built through collaborations between social sector groups and the City. Organizations like Nelson Cares and Share Nelson have been actively getting affordable house built here for over 40 years. We currently have triple the amount of social housing units then other equivalently sized municipalities in our region. The City is far more involved in this process over the last 10 years by allowing city owned land to be used for the development of social housing and helping with design and construction costs. Unfortunately, before the Provincial Community Housing Fund was ended earlier this year, there were two large social housing projects in the pipeline ready to be built on city owned land.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Continue to advocate for the revitalization of the Community Housing Fund.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Advocate for the return of the Community Housing Fund or alternative modernized financing models.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I have been attending the Nelson Committee on Homelessness meeting for more than four years and reporting on the meeting at council.

I chair the Nelson Housing Committee where we are collaborating around creative housing solutions.

We are in the process of adding a significant number of supportive housing units to the city with the opening of 45 Government Road this week and the renovation of the North Shore Inn at the end of 2027. The next step is complex care beds and residential recovery and supported recovery beds. The support of all levels of government is needed and we can advocate to the provincial government through UBCM.

“How would you support collective bargaining rights for tenants in this city? (e.g. passing local protections, defending tenants who are organizing, investing in a strike fund etc.)”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

As a union member for the past 35 years, I support the right to association which is protected in Canada in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I also support the right to strike. Unions on the whole in regard to strike funds are "self funded" through the dues members pay. In exceptional circumstance/hardship unions will donate or loan another union money.

what the city has done is invited a member of the Nelson tenant's union to sit on the city Housing committee.

The city also has standards of Maintenance bylaws that would trigger inspection of buidling that could be in disrepair/lacking upkeep.

We (council) also have the ability to review Strata Title Conversion. (infact I voted against the last one)

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

Landlords that take advantage of tennants definately need to be treated with swift and enduring distain. My family and then myself rented my whole childhood until I purchased rural land in my late 20s. As a young renter I experienced substandard rentals and high power bills due to drafts etc. I understand how frightening it is to have the threat of eviction loom in winter.

While I am not familiar with the municipal capacity to create the right to strike legislation for tenancy I definitely believe the residential tenancy board needs to staff up, investigate substandard dwellings, rent increases and illegal unfounded evictions . Going through a lengthy protracted process doesn't achieve the desired outcome. https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/resolutions/resolutions-database/allowing-local-governments-apply-commercial

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I’m a renter myself, and realistically, I likely always will be. I support tenants being able to organize and advocate collectively for safe, secure and affordable housing without intimidation or retaliation. Through my own tenant advocacy, I’ve seen how important it is for renters to have a meaningful voice.

The City can support tenant education, make information about renters’ rights accessible, and ensure renters are represented in housing conversations.

Formal collective-bargaining rights would require provincial legislative changes, so I would advocate to the Province and through UBCM for stronger tenant protections and greater collective power for renters.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

The challenge with this process is it is largely governed by provincial legislations, so I am not sure of how big a role the city would be able in this process. Personally, I can support peoples rights to organize as they advocate for themselves, but the city needs to concentrate it resources on its municipal jurisdictions and responsibilities. I could see the potential support of local protections, and/or policies, but I would need to learn more about how the role of a city councillor truly interacts with those provincial regulations in order to answer this completely.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

As far as I understand, tenants’ rights are primarily governed by the Province, and I am not sure exactly how the City could support tenants collective action other than provincial advocacy. Although, I do believe when we talk about housing, as a renter myself, that renters need to be sitting at the table as partners in the conversation and not an afterthought.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I believe that everyone deserves housing and that housing should be the first thing that is supported by governments at all levels. I would meet with local tenants and tenant organizations to understand the barriers they face, support access to tenant-rights information and advocacy, and ensure renters have a meaningful voice in City housing decisions.

I would also explore local protections for tenants facing displacement through redevelopment, including relocation assistance and opportunities to return to replacement housing.

I do admit that I would have to learn much more about what options the city has, and I would support anything that the city can realistically do to support a housing-first approach.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I support this. I think the tenants union should have a voice on the housing committee and be seen as a stakeholder going forward.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I am sorry but I do not have enough of an legal background of understanding on this matter to comment equitable on this question. As far as I do understand tenets rights are governed by the BC provincial Residential Tenancy Branch which administers the Residential Tenancy Act legislation.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Support groups to find conduits for organizing.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I see the more readily obvious work before the community on this question sits with the Nelson Tenants Union to build internal capacity, build and organize it's membership, and identify and action projects valued by that membership. From there the specific items the Union wants to bring forward to local government for change can be debated and supported.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Most of these ideas are outside the purview of local government but I would be willing to understand more about how you believe the city could help.

“How will you hold landlords in Nelson accountable?”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

Landlords are basically held accountable by the Residential Tenancy Branch (RBT) which is a provincial body.

tenants can file an official complaint to the Nelson Bylaw department using the Property Maintenance Bylaw No 2375, for example the build is unsafe/fire risk or not kept in good repair

landlords running unauthorized STRs (short term rentals) can also be reported to bylaw

the advocacy center at NelsonCares is another resource for tenants

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

I believe its a possibility to restrict operation if a landlord is constantly negligent.

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Everyone deserves housing that is safe, healthy and properly maintained. Landlords have a responsibility to provide safe, well-maintained homes, just as tenants have a responsibility to care for and respect the spaces they rent.

I support holding landlords accountable through strong enforcement of municipal property standards and making sure tenants can easily access information about their rights and available resources.

I also believe that if the City provides tax incentives or other benefits in exchange for affordable rental housing, there needs to be accountability. Affordability should be clearly defined, verified and protected over the long term.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

The city does have some systems in place that hold landlords responsible when it comes to the health and safety of tenants, which I believe is important as a former first responder. Through bylaw enforcement and safety inspections, the city can enforce building, fire, safety and property standards, to name a few. I support clear and consistent enforcement of infractions by landlords that create unsafe living conditions for tenants.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

The city has limited jurisdiction when it comes to landlord and tenant relations. Where landlords are violating City bylaws, I would expect the City to respond accordingly and I will work to uphold that. That being said, I would also like to see clearer, less bureaucratic resolution mechanisms for both tenants and landlords.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I believe everyone deserves a safe, comfortable, well-maintained home, and landlords should be accountable for meeting their responsibilities. I believe in the right to cool, and landlords need to provide a safe environment in their rental spaces, including cooling in this age of climate change.

I would support clear, accessible ways for tenants to report concerns and consistent follow-up on issues within the City’s authority, such as property maintenance and building safety.

I would listen to local tenants and service providers to understand where complaints are falling through the cracks, and explore what further protections the City can realistically provide.

My approach would be clear expectations, fair and consistent enforcement, and support for tenants to raise concerns without intimidation or retaliation.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I believe the laws exist to hold most landlords accountable. I think the information needs to be available to tenants so they know their rights and can get access to help if they need it. The MLA office used to have this info but we can also provide it through the city.

Also maybe some form of recognition from the city for landlords who do respect their tenants and consistently exceed basic expectations in the maintenance of their properties and their relationships with the people that live in them.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Again, as far as I understand, this is a Provincial matter governed by the BC provincial Residential Tenancy Branch which administers the Residential Tenancy Act legislation.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Support the ongoing work of the Residential Tenancy Branch to uphold the rights of tenants.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

BC licenses property managers, but not landlords who manage their own units. I'm proposing two steps.

Now: Nelson should require a rental business licence for units rented beyond an owner's primary residence, adopt a standards of maintenance bylaw covering heat, water, safety and repair, and suspend licences on units that stay unfit after notice. Current tenants stay protected under the Residential Tenancy Act. Vancouver and Victoria already have maintenance bylaws in place.

Longer term: I'll push the province, through AKBLG and UBCM, for a provincial landlord licence. Lose it, and you'd need a licensed property manager to run your rentals.

Most landlords already meet these standards. Licensing gives tenants a baseline they can count on.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

One of the key supports for tenants that I provided was to invite the Tenant’s Union to the Housing Committee. A Nelson Tenants Union member was on the committee for two years before he moved away. He offered some very valuable insight to the group. Ainsleah Hastings is currently representing the Tenant’s Union.

“How will you prevent corporate commodification of housing? Will you support a ban on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) within the municipality?”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

it is highly unlikely that Nelson would ever see a REIT take interest in Nelson. REITS usually are looking to purchase multi unit residential properties or large commercial developments. ther is nothing in Nelson that meets this scale. A majority of what has been built recently also has convenants that are there to protect the below market rates. REITS depend on market rate rental properties to be able to generate income and shareholder returns.

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

Rentals should not be a commodity and should cover costs plus a modest return on investment not rental rates that are unachievable.

Local government's ability to regulate is not present in law but clarity in new builds should be established in building and development permits. A specific number of units must be allocated to affordability.

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I’m concerned about housing being treated primarily as an investment rather than as a place for people to live. I want to see more housing in Nelson that stays affordable over the long term through nonprofit, cooperative, public and other non-market models.

The City can help by making appropriate municipal land available, partnering with nonprofit housing providers, using housing agreements to protect affordability, and exploring opportunities for nonprofits to acquire existing rental housing.

As for banning REIT ownership in Nelson, I would want to understand whether the City actually has the legal authority to do that before making that promise. If addressing the financialization of housing requires provincial or federal action, I would support advocating for stronger protections at those levels.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I am not 100% sure if the city has the authority to ban or prohibit REITS within the municipality. That is a relatively complex legal question, and I am not someone with legal training. A fulsome, accurate answer to this would require consultation with those that do have that background. However, as stated previously, Nelson has done a good job in helping create certain types of housing options, but we should also concentrate on preserving what we currently have in the rental markets by encouraging longterm rental supply and supporting affordability.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I would support a ban on REITs owning residential housing. Their mandate is to generate profit for shareholders, not to provide secure homes. I do not believe the City currently has the power to stop a private sale, but I would advocate to the Province and federal government for stronger regulation.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I would like to understand the economic factors behind this. I am concerned about investment practices that displace tenants or make housing less affordable for the people who live and work here. I completely disagree with the corporate commodification of housing. I believe that housing should be a right, and that hoarding of properties for investment returns is terrible.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

I would support a ban on REITS.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Again I do not have enough of a legal or financial framework to answer equitably and fairly on such a complex and far reaching question. I do not have the background data of the impacts that REITS currently has on the Nelson real estate marketplace or its impacts on the rental market here in the City.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Continue to advocate for new ways to leverage the existing built square footage to allow homes to be optimized in established neighbourhoods.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

These are capital finance questions. I have already asked council to advocate to the province and the federal government to make look at the tax treatment and preferred financing availability to investment class entities to commodify our residential property markets.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

A municipality does not have the authority.

“How will you improve affordability and living conditions for tenants living in Nelson? Will you implement rent control and mandatory air conditioning regulations which apply to all homes?”

Janice Morrison - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

Setting rent control is strictly a provincial regulation in BC

as far mandatory air conditioning. no authority - provinvcial or local government can for every pre- exisiting privately owned building to install AC.

the BC government via the BC Building Code is the ultimate authority - they have recently mandate that every new build must now have a refuge room that does not exceed 26c

Nelson could consider an amendment to the standards of Care Bylaw requiring landlords to have a least one room that is 26c or lower. An example of where this has been done is New Westminister.

the city could also look at requirements for cooling infrastructure if a building was undergoing major retrofits.

Ramona Faust - Mayoral Candidate (home owner and landlord)

Local governments can not establish rent control because it is provincial jurisdiction. but zoning and permitting can establish the percentage of new units that must be affordable.

Air conditioning is critical and cities can definitely create bylaws to ensure cooling and clean air are available during extreme weather. I would be happy to lead on that initiative. To improve affordability I would like City Hall to be a resource centre that lists community supports and programs.

Ainsleah Hastings - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Affordability and housing security are really important to me. I support stronger rent controls and renter protections provincially, while using municipal tools to create and protect genuinely affordable and non-market housing.

Extreme heat and wildfire smoke also mean our homes need to be safe and livable. I support programs to help retrofit homes with efficient cooling, heat pumps, air filtration and insulation.

Rather than simply requiring air conditioning and risking those costs being passed on to renters, I’d like the City to work with property owners and other levels of government to make climate-resilient homes more accessible and affordable.

Corey Viala - City Council Candidate (home owner)

The city does not have the authority to regulate or mandate rent controls on landlords. This falls consistently under the guidance of provincial oversight.

The Province of BC updated the Building Codes in 2024 after the devastating "Heat Dome" weather episode of 2021. These building codes enforce both passive and active cooling requirements in new construction. With regard to the city's role, I think that we could potentially play an important part in creating discussions with senior governments to help with the financial cost of bringing existing buildings and rental units up to par with the 2024 BC Building Codes.

Devon Caron - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Rent control is set by the Province, so it is not something City Council can implement. At the City level, I think responsible budgeting matters. Keeping property-tax increases as low as possible will not automatically lower rents, but it is part of keeping the overall cost of living in check.

I would also like to see the City work with landlords to access provincial funding for air conditioning, air filtration and heat pumps in older rental homes. As summers become hotter and smokier, renters should not be left behind. For new housing, the City should ensure that new builds meet provincial requirements to prevent dangerous indoor overheating.

Jess Phillips - City Council Candidate (home owner)

I believe people should be able to stay safely in their homes during extreme heat, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children. I would explore enforceable indoor-temperature standards and support for cooling upgrades, including efficient heat pumps, shading and ventilation.

I commit to learning much more about what a municipal government can realistically do to address these challenges in the most practical, timely, and collaborative way. I want to learn about other places with systems and services that are actually moving the needle on this.

I have a lot to learn, and I am willing to do the work.

Jesse Pineiro - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Rent control that applies to all rentals would require a very big cultural shift. While I am in favour of this, I think the likelihood of something like that passing in the current climate in the city is very unlikely. People bought homes they couldn’t afford and are now paying mortgages they can’t afford. The costs are passed down to the renter.

I think cultural shifts around borrowing, lifestyle, and the expectation of profit (housing as an investment not a right) are all highly problematic and will need to change.

In the meantime, I think we need to send a message from the city by opening up more public spaces in city owned buildings during heatwaves so people can get out of the heat, and by focusing on housing as a right, facilitating those developments that are consistent with this vision.

Jesse Woodward - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Again this is Provincial jurisdiction. Rental rate controls for tenets are governed by BC Provincial legislation and the Residential Tenancy Branch which administers the Residential Tenancy Act legislation.

Kate Tait - City Council Candidate (home owner)

Continue to advocate for tools and systems to ensure safe, livable homes for renters.

Keith Page - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Get the community housing fund reinstated and get at least one of the 2 major non-market housing projects that have been proposed started. We need the steady increase in the proportion of non-market rental units added to the built housing stock.

Leslie Payne - City Council Candidate (tenant)

Individual municipalities do not have the legal authority to set their own distinct residential or commercial rent control bylaw.