When it comes to foreign investment and capital in our real estate market, the developers and real estate lobbyists are selling us questionable statistics, but we're not buying them. They're telling us everything is fine, but we disagree. They say that foreign capital and investment isn't a problem, but we want evidence! The "Give Us Data" rally on June 24th is how we're going to get it. Organized by Vancouverites for Affordable Housing, the rally brings together sympathetic politicians and citizens like us to send a clear message to all three levels of government: we demand collection of data on homeownership in Greater Vancouver, data that covers vacant units, speculation, and foreign ownership and capital. Already the norm in cities around the world, collection and analysis of such data is a prerequisite for transparency and evidence-based policy making. As the second least affordable city on earth, it's high time for Vancouver to catch up with the rest of the world, and collect the kind of data that will provide a clearer picture of the factors affecting our housing prices. I can't overemphasize how important it is to get people out to this rally. With wide public and now media support for data collection, including editorial endorsement from the Vancouver Sun (see links below), we are nearing a tipping point. Nevertheless, Premier Clark remains silent when not outright dismissive of public sentiment. Now is the time to act. The more noise and supporters we have at the rally, the more media coverage we receive, and media coverage means Premier Clark and our other politicians feel the heat. And so, if you think it's time to stand up and protect our community, I'll see you there. If you want to show the development and real estate lobbyists that you aren't buying the stats they're selling, I'll see you there. And most importantly, if you think Vancouver needs data on foreign capital in our real estate market, I'll see you on June 24th. Wednesday, June 24 at 5:00pm Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, Robson St Side Because we need a political solution for our housing crisis, speakers include politicians who have already shown their support: MLA candidate Pete Fry MLA Jenny Kwan MP Don Davies And Vancouverites for Affordable Housing's Eveline Xia https://www.facebook.com/events/395794513948536/ Finally, let's keep things positive. If you dislike the way our real estate market is regulated, aim your discontent at our politicians, the people who make our laws. We have zero tolerance for disrespect toward international investors who are simply following the laws our government has set for them. I would rather accept lower living standards than watch our society descend into bigotry. __________________________ Vancouver Sun editorial: "Vancouverites concerned about housing costs deserve better than partisan potshots" http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Editorial+Vancouverites+concerned+about+housing+costs+deserve/11128950/story.html Vancouver Sun's Douglas Todd: "U.S. tracks foreign ownership. Why don't we?" http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2015/06/10/even-the-u-s-tracks-foreign-ownership-in-detail/