Sharon Kowalchuk

Hello, my name is Shawn Nickerson and I'm a support worker with a non-profit here in Nanaimo. One of my clients was recently forced out of her house by her slum lord Duart Rapton. She was recently declared palliative by her doctor and most likely only has a few months left. He had no legal grounds to evict her and after talking with legal counsel, we sent a letter to him stating that unless he files the proper paperwork she does not have to and will not be leaving. She tried to pay her rent on the 28th of Feb and he refused to take it. Then yesterday he sent someone to her door to intimidate her by saying she had to be out today or that he would be back. The landlord then cut off the power to all the units upstairs last night. She and her partner had to spend the night with no heat or power. She was unable to fill her oxygen tank as the power was out, and was unable to cook anything to eat, now all the food in the deep freeze and fridge will have to be thrown out. We have moved her into a hotel for now but it will only be temporary as she cannot afford it for long as she is on disability. We plan on submitting a complaint to the tenancy board and possibly beginning civil proceedings but that won't help her now. They have nowhere to go. Please help us help them.