A New Westminster city councillor is calling for commercial property rent controls, and the council is supporting the cause.

And, city council is backing her mission.

Tasha Henderson introduced a motion that aims to get the B.C. government to allow local governments to restrict rents. The goal is to reduce rents for small businesses. restaurants and other smCouncil supported the motion by a 4-2 vote in favour of it.

While introducing the motion, Henderson noted that the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association and Restaurants Canada have launched new campaign, Save B.C. Restaurants, that calls for an end to unrestricted rents.

Henderson’s motion is now slated to be considered at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association’s 2024 conference and annual general meeting.