My priorities are to unite and fight against Trump; defend public healthcare, dental care and Pharmacare; build more deeply affordable social and co-op housing; fight for climate justice and a just transition that leaves no one behind; and tax fairness (making the wealthiest pay their fair share) to combat poverty.

Housing, homelessness, and the cost of rent is so clearly a top concern for our community. The hard truth is that the federal government's heavy reliance on the private sector to deliver the housing that Canadians need over the last 3 decades has failed. It has seen young people and families priced out of the market, and has seen reno-evictions and demo-evictions skyrocket. The right to a home has to be made real, it’s not enough for the government to merely acknowledge it in words.

No one should be displaced or forced out of their home and the community they live in. I will fight for the following:

1. Build the co-op homes and community housing we need
2. National rent control
3. Stop rent gouging and reno-evictions, by banning fixed-term leases, renovictions, demovictions, and other landlord practices aimed at pushing people out of their homes and driving up rents;
4. Banning price fixing on rents by landlords
5. Ban corporations from buying existing affordable rental buildings.
6. Ban corporate landlords
7. Cut off handouts for predatory landlords including: low-interest federal loans, preferential tax treatment, and mortgage loan insurance.
8. Boost the Rental Protection Fund to help non-profits purchase affordable apartments when they come onto the market.
9. Make the ban on foreign investors from buying homes permanent; and
10. Double new housing starts by 2030 and train 100,000 builders through supports for Union Training Centers.

I will also keep up the fight for robust funding for a For-Indigenous, By-Indigenous urban, rural and northern housing strategy, and, to defend and improve rental assistance for lower-income co-op residents.

We also should absolutely look at targeting youth unemployment which is in the double digits. Get young people into union jobs now and you create a whole new future. We can also establish a new Youth Climate Corps employment program to help tackle the high youth unemployment rate and fight climate change. This is something that New Democrats have championed, and have put forward a Motion in Parliament in an effort push the matter, gain cross-partisan support, and begin the process of initiating its funding and formation.

I also want to see a fair immigration system. Liberals and Poilievre alike have been blaming immigrants for their own failed housing policies, and fanning hate and division in our communities. This has to stop.

People in Vancouver East envision a world where a safe home, a warm meal, head-to-toe health care, and clean air and water for all are not just goals but a guarantee for everyone. Where all children and elders are cared for. Where we work together to heal the wounds of racism and trauma.

The record is clear: the best government that delivers for the people is a minority government with the NDP holding the balance of power. There is so much more we can and must do and I remain ready to defend our community!

I hope I can count on your support to accomplish this.

Sincerely,

Jenny Kwan