Property Rights BC
What we do and who we are...
About Us
Defending Property Rights in British Columbia:
Our Mission and Commitment
The Property Rights BC Association was formed in October 2023 to advocate for property rights in reaction to the BC Government’s Bill 35 which became the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act on 26th October, 2023.
Who We Are:
We are a dedicated association of property owners across British Columbia, united by a shared commitment to safeguarding the rights and investments associated with property ownership. Our members come from diverse backgrounds, but we all share a common goal: to ensure that property rights are respected, protected, and upheld.
Our Mission
Our mission is to champion the rights of property owners throughout the province. We advocate for fair and transparent property laws, emphasizing the importance of responsible ownership and adherence to established regulations. We believe that every property owner, regardless of the size or type of their property, deserves to have their rights recognized and protected.
The Directorship
Leading the charge on the fight for your Property Rights
Orion Rodgers
President
Orion is a husband, father and entrepreneur. He brings strategic insight and strong communication skills to his role as our spokesperson, ensuring property owners are well-represented and the public is informed.
In his 20’s he purchased a condo in Victoria zoned specifically for short term rentals which allowed him to pay the mortgage while traveling & adventuring. From this positive experience hosting visitors from around the world, he and his wife developed a business managing short term rentals, which now supports his young family.
Growing up on the Gulf Islands has given him a true love for this province and the natural amenities it showcases, with 21 countries traveled he still calls BC the most beautiful place on earth.
Orion Rodgers
President
Orion is a husband, father and entrepreneur. He brings strategic insight and strong communication skills to his role as our spokesperson, ensuring property owners are well-represented and the public is informed.
In his 20’s he purchased a condo in Victoria zoned specifically for short term rentals which allowed him to pay the mortgage while traveling & adventuring. From this positive experience hosting visitors from around the world, he and his wife developed a business managing short term rentals, which now supports his young family.
Growing up on the Gulf Islands has given him a true love for this province and the natural amenities it showcases, with 21 countries traveled he still calls BC the most beautiful place on earth.
Ryan Sawatzky
Vice-President
Ryan is wildly passionate about small businesses and the people who operate them, believing they are at the heart of the Canadian economy and should not be overlooked.
An entrepreneur since 2007, Ryan has owned multiple service based businesses relating to real estate marketing, development, and accommodations with a deep understanding and appreciation of the STR industry done ethically. His work at the association focuses on membership engagement and organizational strategy.
Ryan grew up in the Cowichan Valley, spent his 20’s in Yellowknife NT, and settled back in Victoria in 2016, where he resides in Fernwood with his wife, their Holland Lop ‘Lola’ and four adult children.”There is always something significant underway. Life is full, but it’s fulfilling.”
Ryan Sawatzky
Vice-President
Ryan Sawatzky
Vice-President
Ryan is wildly passionate about small businesses and the people who operate them, believing they are at the heart of the Canadian economy and should not be overlooked.
An entrepreneur since 2007, Ryan has owned multiple service based businesses relating to real estate marketing, development, and accommodations with a deep understanding and appreciation of the STR industry done ethically. His work at the association focuses on membership engagement and organizational strategy.
Ryan grew up in the Cowichan Valley, spent his 20’s in Yellowknife NT, and settled back in Victoria in 2016, where he resides in Fernwood with his wife, their Holland Lop ‘Lola’ and four adult children.”There is always something significant underway. Life is full, but it’s fulfilling.”
Ryan is co-owner of four STR-related businesses: AirLobby, Amala Vacation Rental Solutions, Hosted Victoria and Greenhaven Guest House. He brings a deep knowledge of the STR industry to the association where he focuses on membership engagement and organizational strategy.
A believer in independence and freedom of choice he cites a favourite quote: “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” He adds “this rings particularly true in our situation where many are feeling bullied, marginalized and dismissed by those in power.”
Ryan grew up in the Cowichan Valley, spent his 20’s in Yellowknife, and settled back in Victoria in 2016, where he resides in Fernwood with his love Angela, their Holland Lop ‘Lola’ and four adult children.”There is always something significant underway. Life is full, but it’s fulfilling.”
Suzanne Little
Secretary
Suzanne is a communications professional with a background in journalism, public relations, and more recently digital marketing. She brings her understanding of media and messaging to our cause, focusing on getting our story out there. In addition, her thoughtful approach to every new hurdle and ability to keep the team on track with her laser focus gives the group confidence they can overcome any obstacle.
“As a self-employed person, my whole life, I planned my retirement around my single rental unit purchased in 2004 in what was described as a ‘hotel zoned’ building at the time. This legislation means I will not be able to retire as planned.”
She has two grown sons who live in Toronto and…fun fact, has toured throughout North America and Europe as a professional musician, telling stories through songwriting.
Suzanne is a communications professional with a background in journalism, public relations, and more recently digital marketing. She brings her understanding of media and messaging to our cause, focusing on getting our story out there. In addition, her thoughtful approach to every new hurdle and ability to keep the team on track with her laser focus gives the group confidence they can overcome any obstacle.
“As a self-employed person, my whole life, I planned my retirement around a short-term rental unit purchased in 2004 in what was described as a ‘hotel zoned’ building at the time. This legislation means I will not be able to retire as planned.”
She has two grown sons who live in Toronto and…fun fact, has toured throughout North America and Europe as a professional musician, telling stories through songwriting.
Suzanne Little
Secretary
Suzanne is a communications professional with a background in journalism, public relations, and more recently digital marketing. She brings her understanding of media and messaging to our cause, focusing on getting our story out there. In addition, her thoughtful approach to every new hurdle and ability to keep the team on track with her laser focus gives the group confidence they can overcome any obstacle.
“As a self-employed person, my whole life, I planned my retirement around my single rental unit purchased in 2004 in what was described as a ‘hotel zoned’ building at the time. This legislation means I will not be able to retire as planned.”
She has two grown sons who live in Toronto and…fun fact, has toured throughout North America and Europe as a professional musician, telling stories through songwriting.
Deidre Langlois
Treasurer
Deidre brings 25 years of experience in tourism and travel and 15 of those in the short-term rental industry. Her STR company is a registered travel agent wholesaler with Consumer Protection BC. Prior to this she owned an adventure travel company organizing custom adventure holidays for her clients.
Self employed for the past 25 years and retirement in sight, this change has been devastating. She hasn't let that get her down, but fuels her mission to help officials find a regulatory framework that works for everyone. “The local lawmakers have not wanted to hear hard data about why the short-term rental industry has not only so many local benefits, but that our companies and single property owners were always legal, and have been operating legally from the very onset. This is an industry that has been around for 35 years, not eight which is the popular opinion. To see an entire sector demolished because of misinformation would be a great loss to so many people.”
Deidre has two teenage boys who she would like to keep close as they start their life careers, but if this industry folds, that may not happen.
Deidre Langlois
Treasurer
Gary Thandi
Director
Deidre brings 25 years of experience in tourism and travel and 15 of those in the short-term rental industry. Her STR company is a registered travel agent wholesaler with Consumer Protection BC. Prior to this she owned an adventure travel company organizing custom adventure holidays for her clients.
Self employed for the past 25 years and retirement in sight, this change has been devastating. She hasn't let that get her down, but fuels her mission to help officials find a regulatory framework that works for everyone. “The local lawmakers have not wanted to hear hard data about why the short-term rental industry has not only so many local benefits, but that our companies and single property owners were always legal, and have been operating legally from the very onset. This is an industry that has been around for 35 years, not eight which is the popular opinion. To see an entire sector demolished because of misinformation would be a great loss to so many people.”
Deidre has two teenage boys who she would like to keep close as they start their life careers, but if this industry folds, that may not happen.
Gary brings breadth of experience to the association with his background in global information technology organizations. His willingness to be bold and connect with high profile change makers combined with an unrelenting focus on the win-win has opened countless doors for our cause.
His super powers include: complex problem solving, building and implementing strategies as well as forging strong relationships with senior executives.
Having children with special circumstances, he is a passionate advocate for fairness and inclusion. “My wife and I invested in real estate within British Columbia with all our savings to provide a better future for our 5 children. I am honoured to be a part of an association that is advocating for the rights of all Canadians while ensuring legislations are based on holistic unbiased data, resulting in fair outcomes.”
Alison Clark
Member Liaison
Alison brings organizational and communications skills from her background in international tv and film distribution and as producer, writer and general manager of a video production company.
Applying her skills of multi-tasking and organizing resources and people, her focus is on getting things done in the most efficient way possible.“I bought my legally zoned short term rental property to provide income to compensate for 3 years of not being able to work due to Long Covid. It is my only property – I am a tenant where I live – and I viewed it as a small business that could help support me as I near retirement, so the loss of income will create significant hardship”.
Alison had returned to Canada 5 years ago, having moved to the UK as a baby and has lived in London, Boston and most recently Beijing, China.
Alison brings organizational and communications skills from her background in international tv and film distribution and as producer, writer and general manager of a video production company.
Applying her skills of multi-tasking and organizing resources and people, her focus is on getting things done in the most efficient way possible.“I bought my legally zoned short term rental property to provide income to compensate for 3 years of not being able to work due to Long Covid. It is my only property – I am a tenant where I live – and I viewed it as a small business that could help support me as I near retirement, so the loss of income will create significant hardship”.
Alison had returned to Canada 5 years ago, having moved to the UK as a baby and has lived in London, Boston and most recently Beijing, China.
Gary Thandi
Director
Gary Thandi
Director
Gary brings breadth of experience to the association with his background in global information technology organizations. His willingness to be bold and connect with high profile change makers combined with an unrelenting focus on the win-win has opened countless doors for our cause.
His super powers include: complex problem solving, building and implementing strategies as well as forging strong relationships with senior executives.
Having children with special circumstances, he is a passionate advocate for fairness and inclusion. “My wife and I invested in real estate within British Columbia with all our savings to provide a better future for our 5 children. I am honoured to be a part of an association that is advocating for the rights of all Canadians while ensuring legislations are based on holistic unbiased data, resulting in fair outcomes.”
Gary brings breadth of experience to the association with his background in global information technology organizations. His willingness to be bold and connect with high profile change makers combined with an unrelenting focus on the win-win has opened countless doors for our cause.
His super powers include: complex problem solving, building and implementing strategies as well as forging strong relationships with senior executives.
Having children with special circumstances, he is a passionate advocate for fairness and inclusion. “My wife and I invested in real estate within British Columbia with all our savings to provide a better future for our 5 children. I am honoured to be a part of an association that is advocating for the rights of all Canadians while ensuring legislations are based on holistic unbiased data, resulting in fair outcomes.”
Lea Cathcart
Director
Lea is a lifelong Victoria resident, devoted husband, loving father, active volunteer, and passionate sports coach within our community.
With a blend of expertise drawn from both the public and private sectors, Lea approaches his directorship with a meticulous and well-calculated strategy. His active engagement with the Victoria Real Estate Board, particularly in his roles on the Professional Standards Committee and Government Relations Committee through volunteer efforts, underscores his commitment and dedication to fairness.
Additionally, Lea holds a degree in Physical Education and dedicated nearly a decade to teaching within the Victoria School District. His global experiences, working for a prominent cruise line, ignited his passion for the tourism industry. Together with his wife, he operates their small vacation rental business while raising their two young children.
Lea Cathcart
Director
Lea is a lifelong Victoria resident, devoted husband, loving father, active volunteer, and passionate sports coach within our community.
With a blend of expertise drawn from both the public and private sectors, Lea approaches his directorship with a meticulous and well-calculated strategy. His active engagement with the Victoria Real Estate Board, particularly in his roles on the Professional Standards Committee and Government Relations Committee through volunteer efforts, underscores his commitment and dedication to fairness.
Additionally, Lea holds a degree in Physical Education and dedicated nearly a decade to teaching within the Victoria School District. His global experiences, working for a prominent cruise line, ignited his passion for the tourism industry. Together with his wife, he operates their small vacation rental business while raising their two young children.
Brian Jacobsen
Director
Brian Jacobsen
Director
Brian is a tenured strategic partner manager for a leading multinational technology company. He brings to the association skills in strategy, negotiation, sales, and relationship management.
As one of the founding directors, Brian leads a team who develops and articulates the association’s position and arguments for keynote presentations and speaking engagements (such as The City of Victoria Council Meetings). These same arguments are also leveraged cross functionally across the association in areas such as social media and media relations.
Brian enjoys traveling, and is fortunate to be able to work remotely. An investment in Victoria area allowed for him to have a home base and a stake in the real estate market, while providing the freedom and flexibility to live in a way that aligns to his professional and personal life goals. Brian is honoured to be working with and representing such a passionate group of people, and will work relentlessly to ensure our rights are protected.
Brian is a tenured strategic partner manager for a leading multinational technology company. He brings to the association skills in strategy, negotiation, sales, and relationship management.
As one of the founding directors, Brian leads a team who develops and articulates the association’s position and arguments for keynote presentations and speaking engagements (such as The City of Victoria Council Meetings). These same arguments are also leveraged cross functionally across the association in areas such as social media and media relations.
Brian enjoys traveling, and is fortunate to be able to work remotely. An investment in a LNC STR in the Victoria area allowed for him to have a home base and a stake in the real estate market, while providing the freedom and flexibility to live in a way that aligns to his professional and personal life goals. Brian is honored to be working with and representing such a passionate group of people, and will work relentlessly to ensure our rights are protected.
Cynthia Werbik
Director
Cynthia is a residential real estate advisor helping individuals find their own piece of the island to call home. She was born and raised in Victoria and is deeply rooted the tourism community after growing up alongside the family owned and operated Humboldt House Bed and Breakfast.
When her time at Humboldt House came to an end, Cynthia purchased her first property in 2018 in a transient zoned building downtown which afforded her the flexibility to both live in her suite herself, and also operate a lawful short-term rental on occasion. By purchasing in a transient designated building she (like many others) paid a premium for this right. Owning a home with the LNC title enabled her to fund for her bachelors degree at the University of Victoria without accumulating crippling amounts of student debt.
For Cynthia, this fight is about more than just property ownership; it's about fairness, integrity and autonomy. She believes that individuals who work hard, sacrifice, and abided by the law should not be punished for it, by having their rights removed, for wanting a better quality of life for themselves and their families. She wants members and all those who want more from themselves to know that she is standing up for them, for fairness, and the right to lawfully choose ones own path.
Cynthia is a residential real estate advisor helping individuals find their own piece of the island to call home. She was born and raised in Victoria and is deeply rooted the tourism community after growing up alongside the family owned and operated Humboldt House Bed and Breakfast.
When her time at Humboldt House came to an end, Cynthia purchased her first property in 2018 in a transient zoned building downtown which afforded her the flexibility to both live in her suite herself, and also operate a lawful short-term rental on occasion. By purchasing in a transient designated building she (like many others) paid a premium for this right. Owning a home with the LNC title enabled her to fund for her bachelors degree at the University of Victoria without accumulating crippling amounts of student debt.
For Cynthia, this fight is about more than just property ownership; it's about fairness, integrity and autonomy. She believes that individuals who work hard, sacrifice, and abided by the law should not be punished for it, by having their rights removed, for wanting a better quality of life for themselves and their families. She wants members and all those who want more from themselves to know that she is standing up for them, for fairness, and the right to lawfully choose ones own path.
Why We're Concerned:
Imposed regulations, such as the changes to legal non-conforming status, strip away the established property rights many British Columbians have relied upon when investing. By retroactively altering property statuses, these changes have degraded the investments of countless individuals and eroded trust in the regulatory framework. We stand against any measures that undermine the financial security and future planning of property owners in our communities.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to providing a voice for property owners, ensuring that their concerns are heard at all levels of government. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we aim to foster a better understanding of the importance of property rights and the consequences of regulatory changes.
Join the Movement:
If you share our passion for defending property rights and want to make a difference in British Columbia, we invite you to join our association. Together, we can work towards a future where property rights are respected and protected for all.
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