In November 2022 Premier David Eby and the NDP Provincial Government used cloture (aka closure) to force passage of Bill 44 – which made, without any consultation of affected groups, significant and unfair amendments to the Strata Property Act.  These amendments have removed the rights of strata corporations to restrict or limit the number of rentals in a strata and also removed the rights of strata corporations to establish age restrictions other than 55 years of age or more.  

Strata corporations established these restrictions after careful debate and discussion and achieving owner approval of 75% or more.  

The age restriction changes mean that among the thousands of strata corporations in British Columbia, who have democratically voted (by 75% or more) to define the type of community they desire, can no longer retain those choices due to this undemocratic measure by Premiere David Eby and the government. This is solely due to the failure of this government to deliver on past housing promises.

The injustice of these actions will require thousands of strata corporations to hire costly legal services to re-draft their bylaws, Special General Meetings will be required to approve amended bylaws and the fees associated with the filing at Land Titles impacting the wallets of strata owners.

These legislative changes have been forced through without consultation and with the expressed opposition of the Condominium Home Owners Association and many involved in the strata and rental management industry. It will only serve to create animosity and division among owners who made informed choices as to their desired lifestyle.

We respectfully ask the British Columbia Government to repeal Bill 44 or to pass legislation to delay its implementation with a transition period of at least six months so that there can be public consultation and hearings and the engagement of the MLA’s from all political parties. This legislation has not been well thought out and will negatively impact millions of owners in strata corporations in BC.