The provincial government is wading into the discussion around how competition in the new “sharing economy” is affecting local communities.
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender sent a letter on April 8 to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District stating that he wanted to hear from local and regional governments about how they might be influenced by companies like Uber, Lyft and Airbnb.
In his letter, he writes that the government knows that people in the province have expressed an interest in greater choice, convenience and competition, and Fassbender also alludes to the need to understand any impact on consumers, communities or existing businesses.
“The many people currently providing passenger and accommodation services in British Columbia have made investments, providing jobs and valuable contributions to the economy,” he said.
The sharing economy topic is one that has already come before the SLRD board.
“These businesses are influencing the regional district is different ways,” said SLRD chair Jack Crompton.
He expects that local and regional governments will take the ministry’s offer very seriously. “Minister Fassbender’s offer is a welcome offer from the province,” he said.
Crompton cites issues for some commu-nities including housing affordability.
However, smaller areas in the region with little in the way of accommodation for visitors could take advantage of the services.
“Some of our more rural areas have very little tourist accommodation, which creates some challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Through the SLRD, there have already been discussions, particularly about unregulated accommodations. A group representing bed-and-breakfast operators in the Pemberton area contacted the regional district with concern over Airbnb sites. In Squamish, some homes are renting for less than $100 a night, while at the other end of the scale, one home was offering space for weddings and other events for up to $1,600 a night.
While the sharing economy poses questions for local and regional governments in terms of regulation, Crompton said the province does have a role in these discussions.
“A lot of the issue is around taxation, and really that is a provincial matter,” he said.
This week, officials from the Lower Mainland Local Government Association are meeting in Whistler, where the subject will be on the agenda. “One of the topics will be Uber, Airbnb and the sharing economy,” Crompton said.
Fassbender is scheduled to be at the event, while Crompton, himself, is hosting a discussion about Uber and similar services.
The Whistler event is part of a wider discussion. In the letter, Fassbender says he will be meeting with a “wide array of stakeholders” in the coming months to look at the issues surrounding the issues to better understand and the challenges and opportunities.
“Locally elected officials from both urban and rural regions will have important perspectives on the issues,” he said. “I am eager to draw these out as part of the consultation process.”
