It should be a peaceful Saturday morning at home for Christine Ackermann. Except lately life's been anything but. All of Christine's energy has been going to figure out how she can afford to stay in her West End apartment.
"It's really difficult," says Christine. "I've already cut everything. I have my bike, I've sold my car."
In the past year, Christine has been forced to pay an extra $100 a month to stave off eviction. Her landlord had tried to kick her out in order to do renovations and raise the rates. In the end, Christine fought the move and was allowed to stay -- but only because she agreed to pay more.
"It's hard because you can't find anywhere else you go," says Christine.
"There are no other places. The vacancy rate is so low and even if you do and are lucky enough, the rent is so high that I'd be silly to leave this place."
Christine's situation isn't unique. Tenant groups held a rally Saturday claiming the same thing has happened in dozens of buildings across the city. Those groups say the root of the problem is the provincial government and legislation favouring landlords.
With a by-election, civic election and provincial election all on the horizon -- many familiar faces were at Saturday's rally, trying to appear supportive of the issues. But will any of them actually commit to changing the rules to help renters?
Both the Liberal and NDP candidates in next week's Vancouver-Burrard by-election say yes.
"Well, I've already been taking the concerns that have been expressed here for the past six or seven months to the minister and I'm expecting an announcement on Monday in some direction with respect to the legislation," says Liberal candidate Arthur Griffiths.
NDP candidate Spencer Herbert agrees.
"I commit today to take action for renters and concrete actions," he told CTV. "It's legislative change."
As for Christine, she says she'll keep fighting until she sees real change and real protection for her community.
"Vancouverites do not want us being thrown out on the streets so they can hike their rents up just because the Olympics are coming and they think they can get some more money -- that's not what it's about," she says.
"Vancouverites need to stand up and say 'no, this is not okay.'"
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart