Editor:
Re: “Short-term rentals an ‘unreasonable risk’ during crisis: Beamish,” April 3.
It is saddening and disappointing to hear so-called leaders of our community whipping up hatred and dividing people in times of crisis. In particular, it is frankly very disturbing to hear Mayor Bill Beamish claiming that members of this community “earning money from short-term rentals during the COVID-19 crisis are similar to hoarders and exploitive resellers.”
Really, Mayor Beamish? Well, let me enlighten you. Airbnb alone contributed almost $43 million in B.C. taxes during 2019, almost $10 million of which went to municipal and regional governments, and all of which will be used for affordable housing and tourism projects. Right now hundreds of Airbnb hosts are opening their homes to provide free or heavily discounted housing for frontline workers and community members who need to stay safe. Airbnb has been very effective in its own support of travellers and hosts by offering 100 per cent refunds, vouchers and emergency grants for hosts. The federal and provincial governments are both doing an incredible job of informing all of us of our civic duty, along with many local organizations on the Coast who are reinforcing the “stay home” and “essential travel only” messaging.
In closing, Mayor Beamish, I’d like to suggest that instead of using the COVID-19 crisis to play the broken record of anti-short-term rentals, you might want to consider a more empathetic approach to your community members, many of whom have gone to zero income overnight yet are still going the extra mile to provide help and support for others. The very same people you are accusing of being hoarders and exploitative resellers are hurting right now, and the last thing people need in times of unprecedented crisis is a “kick them while they’re down” mentality.
Liz Kelly, Egmont
