Student leaders representing students across British Columbia gathered today on the legislature lawn to try to convince the provincial government to cut the red tape preventing universities and colleges from building much needed student housing.
Following the release of the Alliance of BC Students’ White Paper earlier this month, which demonstrated that government policy was blocking over 20,000 units of student housing from being built, students have been active in getting their message to the public. “This is such an important issue for students, but also for our communities as a whole,” stated Alex McGowan, ABCS Chairperson, adding that “moving 20,000 students out of the market and onto campus opens up the market to everyone.”
The demonstration, a village of cardboard residence houses on the legislature lawn, sits while the legislature doesn’t. “This is a province facing a crippling housing crisis; where is the government?” questioned McGowan. “Municipal leaders are here in Victoria working; where is Premier Clark?”
Down the street from the legislature, the Union of BC Municipalities are gathering for their annual convention. “The response we’ve had is amazing. Students, universities, municipal leaders, the Greens and NDP, all support our idea,” said Kim Rutledge, ABCS Campaigns Officer. On Wednesday, the UBCM is set to debate a resolution, sponsored by Saanich Councillor Fred Haynes, supporting the ABCS’ White Paper calling for on-campus student housing.
“All it takes is for the ministers of finance and advanced education to agree to sign off on new student housing. No new laws, no new policies, just a change of attitude and we build 20,000 student housing spaces in BC,” concluded McGowan. “If the government is serious about doing something about this crisis, why not act on this?”
The ABCS has pledged to continue advocating for on-campus student housing as a key solution to the housing crisis.
