News from British Columbia: a controversial supportive-housing bill raises fears of increased homelessness, while Vancouver Island celebrates hospitality successes with a new antiques hotel and prestigious awards.
Supportive-housing bill in British Columbia: a fight for safety or a path to homelessness?
A heated debate has erupted in British Columbia over a new bill intended to regulate life in so-called supportive housing. Authorities say the goal is safety, but critics see a threat to the rights of the most vulnerable residents and a risk of increasing homelessness. This complex knot of issues—where social policy, human rights and public safety intersect—requires careful analysis.
Bill 11, introduced by the provincial government, seeks to amend the Residential Tenancy Act specifically for supportive-housing buildings. This housing type is intended for people in difficult life situations—those with mental illness, substance dependence, or living in extreme poverty. As Housing Minister Christine Boyle explains, the changes aim to give operators of such buildings tools to respond quickly to incidents of violence and ensure safety for both residents and staff. Key innovations include streamlining eviction procedures for weapon possession and expanding landlords’ powers to remove and restrict access to tenants’ personal property. As noted in the CityNews Vancouver piece, Boyle emphasizes that the vast majority of tenants are good neighbours and the law is intended to protect their right to safe housing.
But those very measures have provoked a storm of criticism. UBC housing researcher Alina McKay, quoted in the report, expresses deep concern. She acknowledges that tensions and incidents of violence in these buildings are a harsh reality rooted in poverty and other systemic issues. Her main argument is that evicting people onto the street does not solve these problems; it only worsens them, creating a “conveyor belt into homelessness.” That term is also used in a joint statement by advocacy groups Pivot Legal Society and Community Legal Assistance Society, warning of an “erosion of tenant rights.”
One of the most contentious aspects of the bill is the vague definition of “weapon.” Minister Boyle says specifics will be set out in regulations and could include both illegal and legally owned firearms. But for activists like Matt Tarasov of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, that ambiguity is unacceptable. He asks whether a tennis racket could become grounds for eviction and sees the law as giving the minister a “blank cheque” to change rules arbitrarily. “This time it’s about supportive housing, but who knows what’s next?” CityNews cites him saying.
On the other hand, voices in support of the bill come from those working daily on the front lines of social problems. Michael Vonn, head of the Portland Hotel Society, one of the organizations that manage such housing, explains that critics often don’t grasp the harsh realities. It’s not about confiscating a kitchen knife, but about needing to respond to situations where a crossbow is stored in a unit. Property provisions, she says, relate to hoarding issues that create fire hazards or unsanitary conditions. “We’ve taken on difficult work, but it shouldn’t become impossible because we lack the necessary tools,” Vonn says.
The context is worsened by other troubling trends. In Vancouver, the city council under Mayor Ken Sim last year instituted a moratorium on building new supportive housing, which Councillor Rebecca Bligh says only exacerbates the housing crisis. Meanwhile, a 2025 count of Vancouver’s homeless population shows a 12% increase compared to 2023. Notably, 42% of respondents said they lost their last housing due to eviction. These figures bolster critics’ arguments: a new law that makes evictions easier could swell the already growing ranks of people without shelter.
Thus, Bill 11 sits at the heart of a fundamental contradiction. On one side is the legitimate right of tenants and staff to safety in places where conflict, unfortunately, is not uncommon. On the other is the risk that punitive measures, absent investments in supports, treatment and addressing root causes (mental health, poverty, addiction), will lead to even greater social costs. As Alina McKay concludes, evicting people without addressing the underlying causes of tension is an ineffective tool. The outcome of the debate should be not merely a law, but a comprehensive strategy that balances safety, compassion and real assistance for those at the bottom rungs of the social ladder.
Rosemead House on Vancouver Island named one of the world’s best new hotels
Overview: A new luxury boutique hotel has opened on Vancouver Island in British Columbia and has already landed on a prestigious global ranking. Rosemead House in Victoria, not even fully open yet, was included by Travel + Leisure in its “100 Best New Hotels of 2026,” one of only three Canadian hotels to earn that honor. What makes this place so special?
Rosemead House is more than a hotel—it's a journey through time, embodied in stone and wood. It is housed in a restored 118-year-old manor just minutes from downtown Victoria. Owner Lenny Moi approached the project with immense passion and attention to detail. Before opening the doors to guests (the official opening is scheduled for late 2025), he visited more than 200 property auctions across the UK, assembling a collection of 1,500 antiques. Each piece found a place in one of the hotel’s 28 unique rooms, each telling its own story. As Moi told Daily Hive, “Rosemead House was never conceived as following conventions. It’s a place where history, craft and imagination intersect.”
The hotel’s concept is a harmonious yet bold mix of eras. Rooms pair Edwardian writing desks, original architectural details and William Morris wallpapers with modern comforts such as heated floors and premium Duxiana mattresses. Travel + Leisure editors called the style a “maximalist design fever,” comparing the stay to visiting someone’s private residence full of treasures and stories rather than a standard hotel room. This explanation helps capture the approach: “maximalism” here is not chaos but a richly considered curation of art and antiques that creates a cozy, immersive sense of another era.
Being on the global list is a major achievement for a not-yet-fully-open hotel. Travel + Leisure’s list is based on assessments of nearly 250 properties in 40 countries that opened or underwent major renovations between February 2025 and February 2026. Rosemead House shares Canada’s honors with glamping property Huttopia in the Laurentians (Quebec) and the Kenrick Hotel in Banff. Practically speaking, special introductory rates are available for residents of British Columbia, Alberta and Washington state starting at CAD 319 per night—competitive for a property of this class and with such a unique concept.
Bottom line: The arrival of Rosemead House marks an important trend in hospitality—an effort to offer travelers not just a place to sleep but a deep, personalized experience tied to history, art and local character. The hotel shows how careful restoration of a historic building, a proprietor’s personal collection and bold design can create a site of global significance right on our doorstep, making Victoria an even more attractive destination for lovers of unique stays.
Hospitality awards: Vancouver Island at the forefront of the industry in British Columbia
Vancouver Island is reaffirming its reputation as one of British Columbia’s key hospitality hubs. Local hotels and industry professionals took home several prestigious awards at the 2026 British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) Awards, highlighting their leadership in service, sustainability and culinary excellence.
The awards ceremony, held April 15 as part of the BCHA summit in Nanaimo, showcased the strength of island hospitality. The annual awards recognize the best in the province’s tourism and hotel sector, and this year Vancouver Island entrants shone. The night’s top winner was The Parkside Hotel & Spa in Victoria, which received two top honors: “Hotel of the Year” and “Champion in Sustainability.” This double win is not only recognition of service quality but also a focus on responsible environmental practices, an increasingly important criterion for modern travelers. Sustainability in hospitality involves measures to reduce environmental impact—energy-saving technologies, waste reduction, use of local eco-friendly materials and supporting local communities.
The island’s culinary scene was also recognized. Executive chef Danai Hongwanishkul of Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa won a culinary excellence award. As CHEK News reports, this victory strengthens Vancouver Island’s growing reputation as a foodie destination emphasizing high-quality, locally sourced cuisine. A new generation of talent was also honored: Savanna Cannattella of the Magnolia Hotel & Spa in Victoria received the “Leader of Tomorrow” award, a category that spotlights young professionals showing leadership potential, innovative thinking and genuine passion for hospitality.
Organizers say winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of finalists and represent the province’s highest hospitality standards. The success of island businesses and professionals at the provincial level not only raises their profile but also sends a powerful message to travelers seeking unique and responsible travel experiences. It indicates that Vancouver Island is creating not just places on a map to stay, but full-fledged destinations where service quality, environmental stewardship and culinary discovery go hand in hand.
