NDP calls for more protections after evicted tenants turn to emergency services

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December 11, 2015 | Gene Law | CFNR

The eviction of trailer park tenants just outside of Prince Rupert has the provincial NDP calling for stronger protections.

Residents at a Port Edward trailer park were served with eviction notices earlier this week.

North Coast NDP MLA, Jennifer Rice, says trailer parks tenants have far fewer rights than those in an apartment or house.

The trailer park is owned by Stone Cliff Properties.

In an emailed statement, the company says it was forced to evict after its plans to refurbish the trailer park were opposed by some tenants.

The statement says an eviction notice was issued August of this year, with bailiffs called in “as a last resort,” when some former tenants refused to leave.

But Rice says some long-term tenants don’t have the financial ability to move without legislated protections.

She adds Prince Rupert is already facing a housing crunch, and some former tenants are now forced to use emergency social services.

Stonecliff says they will clear and clean up the property once the last tenants are gone.

Read the original story and listen to audio clips here: http://cfnrfm.ca/evicted-port-edward-trailer-park-tenants-forced-to-use-emergency-services/