BC union calls for halt to all mortgage and rent payments after poll shows huge support

The British Columbia Government and Services Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has called for the immediate halt of rent, mortgage and utility payments.

It comes after the union commissioned a poll by Research Co that showed most Canadians back their call.

The survey found that:

• 69% of Canadians expect to lose some of their income due to COVID-19

• 72% of Canadians want to see mortgage, rent and utility payments halted

• 64% of Canadians think banks should not be allowed to charge interest on deferred mortgages

"This poll backs up what we've been saying for weeks: the federal government needs to act now and halt mortgage, rent and utility payments," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

A new poll shows a strong majority of Canadians support an immediate halt to rent, mortgage, and utility payments.

It's time for the federal government to act: https://t.co/rJZvVBJ0ix#cdnpoli #COVIDー19 #canlab pic.twitter.com/wgaW4D7tZI

— BCGEU (@bcgeu) April 1, 2020

According to the pollsters, the scheme has support across party, demographic and regional divides.

“Public support for a measure that would stop all rent, mortgage, and utility payments because of the COVID-19 outbreak is high across the entire country, but especially in Alberta (79%), Ontario (73%) and British Columbia (72%),” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co.

“Two thirds of Canadians believe the federal government should follow the lead of other European countries and allow residents who are already dealing with the pandemic to eradicate these concerns at this time.”

The poll was conducted between March 30 and March 31.

It was based on the responses of 1,000 representative adults across Canada.