October 20, 2008 

The recent eviction notices delivered to a Sooke mobile home park by developers has sent a chill through parks across Vancouver Island.  The recent court decision to support Oak Bay Marine Group over long time tenants at Pedder Bay speaks to the disproportionate power relationship between residents and landlords put in place by the BC Liberals.

A housing crisis suggests a response from the Housing Minister.  As the specter of tent cities looms on the winter horizon and the further loss of affordable housing at mobile home parks increases, residents can expect nothing from Housing Minister Rich Coleman.  If only they had bought Western Forest Products shares instead of homes; they might have gotten a hearing from Coleman.

As it is, they must hope that municipal governments come to the rescue as they did with the WFP land deal and put in place the protections that should have been the priority of the Provincial government.  Had there been a fall session of the Legislature I could have put this issue directly to the Premier.  Instead of leading on the issues that affect people's lives, the Premier continues his Olympic preparations.  A gold medal for insensitivity and ignoring Vancovuer Island are a certainty at this point.