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## Victoria City Council Rejects Proposal for Public Hearing on Provincial Legislation

Victoria city council voted against the idea of holding a public hearing for residents to air their concerns about new provincial legislation that restricts short-term rentals. This decision comes despite the efforts of Coun. Marg Gardiner, who was looking to provide owners with a platform to voice their grievances. Gardiner had hoped that city staff would prepare a report on how the new legislation will impact the city.

The new law, which is designed to bring short-term rental units into the long-term rental housing pool, imposes limitations on short-term rentals to a host’s principal residence as of May. It also allows for the use of a basement suite or laneway home on their property for short-term rentals. Additionally, fines for hosts who violate local bylaw rules will increase to up to $3,000 per infraction per day, and short-term rental platforms will be required to share data with municipalities.

Many short-term rental owners claim that they were caught off guard by the legislation and will be compelled to sell their units as long-term rental rates will not cover their expenses. This has led to significant financial losses for these owners.

Gardiner’s proposal was met with opposition from her fellow council members, who argued that the city is not in a position to intervene in provincial legislation. Coun. Jeremy Caradonna expressed concern that holding a public hearing would only provide residents with an opportunity to vent their frustrations about matters over which the city has no jurisdiction. Instead, he suggested that people should reach out to their Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) if they have issues with provincial laws. Similarly, Coun. Dave Thompson believed that hosting a public hearing would be a waste of public funds and would not align with the council’s responsibilities.

In support of the motion, Couns. Gardiner and Stephen Hammond shared accounts from residents who have suffered significant financial losses due to the new legislation. Hammond also pointed out that the province had taken direction from the City of Victoria when introducing the new law, which implies that the city is not entirely blameless in this situation.

Gardiner emphasized that previous councils had contributed to the proliferation of short-term rental units through their land-use decisions. Therefore, she argued that the city has an obligation to at least listen to the concerns of affected residents.

The AI legalese decoder can help in this situation by providing an analysis of the provincial legislation on short-term rentals, and offering insights on how it impacts both the affected rental owners and the city. It can help city staff prepare a comprehensive report on the legal implications of the legislation, thereby empowering the council to make informed decisions on how to address the concerns of the residents. Additionally, the decoder can assist in interpreting the legal language of the legislation, making it easier for affected residents to understand their rights and options for recourse. By leveraging AI technology, the council can navigate the complexities of legal documents and regulations related to short-term rentals more effectively, ultimately enabling them to better serve the interests of their constituents.

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