THE NDP on Thursday slammed BC United Leader Kevin Falcon for continuing to oppose all of Premier David Eby’s actions to tackle housing availability and costs for people, “siding again with real estate investors and speculators who benefit from high prices.”

On Wednesday, Falcon said he will vote against three pieces of legislation:

• A bill to speed up approvals for new housing developments by simplifying municipal processes and ensuring key infrastructure and amenities are funded.

• A bill to build more middle class homes by eliminating cumbersome zoning processes for small multi-unit developments in single family neighbourhoods.

• A bill to encourage housing construction near transit.

The NDP said: “It’s the latest in Falcon’s iron man streak of opposing Eby’s action on housing,” pointing out:

• Last week Falcon’s MLAs voted against a bill to turn short-term rentals like AirBNBs into long-term housing. Falcon also argued for an exemption for special events like Taylor Swift concerts, an idea that was widely mocked online as “tone-deaf”;

• They voted against legislation that stopped stratas from banning rentals in their buildings and ended unfair age restrictions;

• They voted against legislation to set municipal targets for more housing construction;

• Falcon has opposed the speculation and vacancy tax since it was introduced;

• He opposes the BC NDP’s cap on rent increases;

• He said a flipping tax isn’t needed after his former Housing Critic Mike Bernier called it a “very scary thought” after he flipped three houses in four years.

• Falcon also claimed on Wednesady that housing costs only started rising under the BC NDP, despite MLS data showing that prices in Greater Vancouver rose four times faster under Falcon’s government than they have under the BC NDP.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said: “Time and time again, Kevin Falcon has put the interests of real estate speculators and investors ahead of regular British Columbians who are looking for an affordable home.  He’s continuing to stand against the real action David Eby is taking to tackle housing affordability. Kevin Falcon’s record shows that he would drive housing costs up even further, just like he did before.”