Stand up for Renters Rights

In the West End we have seen first-hand the devastating impact that imbalances in the residential tenancy act have had on our renters in our community, however this is a problem that threatens British Columbians throughout the province.

From tenants being threatened and intimidated with unlawful evictions, to whole buildings being evicted due to unnecessary renovations, to renters facing a massive rent increases. We need major changes to the residential act to prevent the abuses that have occurred, in particular as it pertains to the geographical area increase clause and the evictions for renovations clause.

Send a message to Housing Minister Rich Coleman to let him know you want immediate changes to the residential tenancy act – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 604 882-3151.

Learn more about your rights from the Tenants Resource Advocacy Centre and stop by our office on 923 Denman to pick up a copy of TRAC’s Tenant Survival Guide.

You can also get involved with renter’s advocacy action through Renters at Risk, a local renters advocacy group.

Support St. Paul’s Hospital

Residents in the West End have been outspoken for many years about our desire for St. Paul’s Hospital to remain in the community. We live in the densest downtown core after New York City and our community urgently needs to maintain its full service hospital. Despite this, the Provincial government has refused to invest in the upgrades and maintenance that St. Paul’s Hospital needs to continue to serve our community.

Call on the Provincial government to make a strong commitment to revitalize St. Paul’s Hospital and maintain it as a Centre of Excellence. Write to Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 604-576-3792 and let him know that you want to keep St. Paul’s in our community.

Get involved with the Save St. Paul’s Coalition and the West End Residents Association who have been active in calling for a revitalized St. Paul’s Hospital in the West End.

Stop the HST

In the West End many residents are concerned about the impact the HST will have on their cost of living and how they will negatively affect the restaurants and businesses of our community. Condo owners, renters and landlords will also see an increase in their costs as maintenance services that were previously exempt from the PST tax will no longer be under the harmonized tax system.

In a province that has some of the highest rental and living costs in the country this is another burden that we should not have to bear. I have been actively speaking out on this issue as it affects the tourism and hospitality industry, local community centres and stores in our community, the arts and culture industries and many others.

Restore Grants to Our Community Organizations

The West End is blessed to have a number of organizations that do so much for our community such as advocating for seniors, producing arts and cultural events, promoting environmental sustainability, helping folks find employment and housing - among a variety of other ways. This year our non-profit sector was dealt a huge blow when the Provincial government broke its promise to fund community organizations through its Direct Access Gaming Grants. Many organizations in the West End were affected including the West End Seniors Network and the Stanley Park Ecology Society to name just a few. These groups work tirelessly to benefit our community and deserve our support. Contact the Minister responsible for gaming grants Minister Rich Coleman to call on him to restore support to these vital organizations- at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 604 882-3151.