As - Wednesday, January 25, 1984 - North Shore News ‘rent man set THE RENTALSMAN’ S OFFICE will be replaced by a substantially smaller government-appointed commission that will not have the power to deal with money issues. That’s what -Richard Blackburn, president of the North Vancouver Tenants Association, says he has learned from a highly-placed government. source. RICHARD. BLACKBURN _ ese Still concerned The Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, which oversees the Residen- tial Tenancy Act, won’t con- firm Blackburn’s claim. According to Rick Stevens, the acting director of public information, a new act isn’t ready yet. **Not only isn’t there a new Residential Tenancy Act ready to go the legislature, a new act hasn’t .even been drafted yet,’’ Stevens said. Stevens says the informa- tion Blackburn has may be proposals contained in Ministry working papers. Blackburn refuses to’ iden- tify the source of the infor- mation. on the new landlord- | tenant legislation other than as a ‘“‘high source who should knqow.”” Blackburn said he would be surprised if the new act hasn’t been drafted because the legislature resumes sitting next week. According to . Blackburn, the Rentalsman’s office will be replaced by a ‘‘down-sized commission’’ people. That’s one-quarter the size of the Rentalsman’s Office when it had its largest staff. Members of the commis- sion will be appointed by Cabinet or the Ministry and will be barred from joining any union or professional association, Blackburn says. Finally, the concept of rent review will be_abolished, as’ promised. by the provincial government in its budget. ’ Blackburn says the legisla- tion, which replaces a bill that had proposed-to do away with the Rentalsman’s office all together, goes part way . toward meeting the concerns of his group. He says he is concerned, though, with the ban on union or association membership and fears it will leave commission members at of about 50- 1983 - the mercy of the government. He adds the apparent deci- sion to leave the settlement of disputes involving money up to the courts does little to of- fer protection to tenants. Blackburn also has _ con- cerns that without a provi- sion for rent feview, tenants will have no _ protection against eviction during. Expo *86, when landlords will be tempted to evict local residents in favor of free- spending visitors. Blackburn has outlined his concerns about the legislation in a letter to Consumer and Corporate Affairs Minister James Hewitt. Hewitt, who is currently vacationing out of the pro- vince, could not be reached for comment. : PRETTY YOUNG calico needs a good home. } Please phone Doris Orr at 987-9015. Adoption days for cats and pups to be at Westlynn Mall Friday and Saturday Jan. 27 Service & Repair Grandfathers Antiques HOUSECALLS REASONABLE PRICES 271-9088 After 5:00 P.M. it about it? weworce Surean of Conado, Serece Cosmurnings Ov Canacto IMAGINATION IN UGHTING COME AND BE DAZZLED NORTH VANCOUVER SHOWROOM 1091 CHURCHILL CRESCENT PHONE: 980-9501 SPECIALIZING IN: - ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING BY LIGHTOLIER - HOME CONVENIENCE products by NUTONE - FLEXIBLE DECORATING CEILING FANS BY NADIAR UNION ELECTRIC — OTHER FULL LINE LIGHTING SHOWROOMS AT: Vancouver's Premier Lighting Showroom 3971 No. 6 Road Richmond. Ph: 273-1011 UNION ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO.LIMITED 1095 Churchill Cres. N. Van., Ph.: 980-9501 CAVALIER SOFAS 25 year warranty 8 way hand tiea IN YOUR CHOICE OF FABRICS 2 PLY from ° 1095 PKG OF 6 ae 4 PLACE SETTING $1950 ferpreatreiwe o Rags and Drlevtor AL, 926-0101 24904 Marine Drive. West Van,