The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce hopes the province will take a vacation from new legislation intended to bolster long-term rental availability.

The chamber believes the new law could pose serious risks to short-term rental resorts that drive North Okanagan tourism.

Set to take effect in May, the provincial legislation is focused on returning short-term rentals to the long-term market by establishing provincewide rules and restrictions on short-term housing including the enforcement and fines for violators. A Greater Vernon Chamber task force has uncovered potential risks to local businesses and made recommendations that would mitigate the economic impact of the housing reform.

害羞草研究所淲e are urging the provincial government to reassess the local vacation resort communities in our area that have not been deemed exempt,害羞草研究所� said Kirndeep Nahal, Chamber president.

害羞草研究所淭he resort communities impacted are not close to transit and are likely not the affordable living accommodations the legislation is hoping to target. These are communities built upon short-term rental models to drive tourism, which is a massive economic driver for the Okanagan, and would be threatened.害羞草研究所�

While many tourism providers such as Big White and Silver Star have been exempted from the legislation, others like Predator Ridge and Outback Lakeside Resort have not.

Claus Larsen, director of accommodation at Predator Ridge, says more than 300 people could be at risk of losing their jobs if the golf resort must meet the new legislation.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e no different than Big White or Silver Star. We害羞草研究所檙e outside of town, and we害羞草研究所檙e zoned for short-term rentals,害羞草研究所� said Larsen. 害羞草研究所淭he consequences if we do not get exempt would be dire. The loss of jobs is our main concern.害羞草研究所�

Short-term rental accommodations account for between $3 and $4 million in revenue per year at Predator Ridge. While the resort does have a long-term rental project known as The District, these unfurnished properties start at $4,500 per month.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 the type of accommodation we have at Predator Ridge. Our resort is full of million-dollar homes and condos,害羞草研究所� said Larsen. 害羞草研究所淭hat doesn害羞草研究所檛 create affordable houses. If we害羞草研究所檙e not exempted, we害羞草研究所檙e going to stand empty.害羞草研究所�

The Chamber is encouraging the provincial government to consult with stakeholders to further understand the unintended impacts.

The chamber害羞草研究所檚 task force also recommends giving municipalities the right to determine and apply for exempted areas through commercial tourism zoning. To further support long-term rental availability, the task force suggests a reassessment of the Residential Tenancy Act to entice property owners to lease their homes to long-term tenants.

The task force has raised these and other concerns with Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu, who has brought stakeholders and local tourism providers害羞草研究所� concerns and recommendations to Victoria.

害羞草研究所淲e appreciate that the provincial government has recognized and is taking action to address the issue of affordable and attainable housing in our province. We understand the legislation is meant to increase the availability of long-term housing options,害羞草研究所� said Nahal. 害羞草研究所淭his intended objective is undeniably important for families to be able to sustain a basic quality of life in our province and reassure employers that they will be able to attract skilled workers to their regions. However, there are potentially negative impacts to the community that need to be addressed.害羞草研究所�

The Chamber害羞草研究所檚 letter to Sandhu can be read in full or online at .ca.