Whereas a majority of British Columbian households include at least one dog or cat, and that companionship imparts various wellbeing benefits to mental and physical health; And whereas housing insecurity is exacerbated by the limited availability of pet-friendly rental units often resulting in higher rents, and restrictions on pet-friendly housing often result in renters being forced to surrender their pets to avoid homelessness, a burden that disproportionately affects lower income households; And whereas British Columbia is lagging other jurisdictions: No-pet clauses in Ontario are specifically banned, and protection is in place for individuals with companion animals through the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act, and similar legislation has passed in the US and France recognizing the choice to have a companion animal as a basic civil right: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to prohibit blanket no pets clauses in rental contracts, instead providing for appropriate management guidelines, including requirements, tenant responsibilities, and conditions for landlord indemnification in rental contracts for tenants with pets.
