麻豆精选 Councillor Ron Cannan has made a push for the city to buy Canadian.
After reviewing the city鈥檚 procurement policy, Cannan said, at council鈥檚 Monday (Mar. 17) meeting, that he plans to bring forward a notice of motion to amend the policy.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 specifically address council鈥檚 wish to, in this case, exclude the U.S. when we鈥檙e purchasing,鈥� Cannan added.
The proposed amendment would have staff prioritize Canadian and non-U.S. suppliers when possible and support more diverse and local businesses. Cannan will bring forward the motion at council鈥檚 March 31 meeting.
Cannan also asked that the city reach out to the province regarding lifting the ban on short-term rental properties in 麻豆精选. He pointed to the call from Premier David Eby for British Columbians to cancel their U.S. trips and travel within the province.
鈥淐onsidering the climate we鈥檙e in with the tariffs and promoting tourism in B.C., having that lifted this year so we can stimulate the tourism market and provide some accommodation options, especially for families,鈥� Cannan noted.
On March 5, council approved new short-term rental rules to match provincial regulations, which require licensing, registration, and that rentals be operated by a principal resident.
Under the updated city rules, short-term rentals can be used as a secondary accommodation within a primary home or in a secondary suite or carriage house. However, the operator must live on the property for at least 240 days per year.
Mayor Tom Dyas pointed out that the province has been unwavering in its decision to lift short-term rental bans.
鈥淭hat does not mean that we cannot communicate another letter to them,鈥� Dyas added. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 not certain that they鈥檙e going to look at changing their position at this point in time until we get above three per cent (vacancy rate).
Communities with a population over 10,000 (2021 Census) and a rental vacancy rate of three per cent or more for each of the two previous years can opt out of the provincial short-term rental legislation. 麻豆精选 does not currently meet those regulations.
麻豆精选鈥檚 new rules will be in place by April. The city currently has 415 licensed short-term rentals.
