The Times Colonist interviewed VicTU member Harland Bird about the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) report that showed that Victoria is the third least affordable city in Canada. Harland made the crucial point that corporate landlords are primarily to blame. Shocking no one, the report also confirms that BC is the least affordable province.

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/victoria-was-canadas-third-least-affordable-city-for-renters-last-year-report-11167436

The CCPA report notes that “minimum wage increases are a key dimension of affordability”.

Just last week two public sector unions, BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) and Professional Employees Association (PEA), went on strike. While not technically about minimum wage specifically, their main issue is on increasing wages for their employees.

https://pressprogress.ca/two-of-bcs-public-sector-unions-just-went-on-strike-as-public-servants-push-back-against-rising-costs-of-living

This is an important step in making Victoria (and BC) more affordable for renters, but it has one snag that needs to be dealt with. Suppose the unions win their contracts and get higher wages for a large portion of their employees who are also renters. Tax payer money goes into paying those wages. Those people then pay their rent to a real estate investment trust (REIT) or some other investment company that uses living space as a speculative asset. Those corporations continue to receive the rent that the tax payer paid for and still have no incentive to lower the cost of rent. In fact, there’s no reason for us to expect them to not tighten the screws the moment they sense the people start to afford their rent.

So, while the workers unions are fighting for higher wages, which will allow people to meet the absurd cost of living, it will be up to the tenants unions (that’s us!) to fight for affordable housing and a secure home.