We need national regulations that protect people, so they can afford a roof over their heads

BY PAUL JUNOR

In 2024, newly elected MPP Andrea Hazell of Scarborough-Guildwood plans to introduce a motion in the Ontario Legislature to bring back rent control.

During question period on Monday, November 2^nd, 2023, she posed a question to Ontario Premier Ford, “I asked the Minister of Housing if he plans to backtrack again on universal rent control that his government promised in 2018.” Premier Ford did not respond directly to her question.

In a tweet at @AndreaHazell she writes, “The deflection is unreal! Zero accountability and no respect for the people of Ontario! I will keep the pressure on! Under the Conservatives, rent in Ontario has never been higher. They got rid of rent control; it is time they bring it back.”

A petition was launched by Yumma and Khadjea Farooq on September 6^th, 2023, after their landlord asked for a rent increase of $7,000 per month on their building. The petition states the positive benefits of rent control, “Rent Control is a crucial policy that ensures fairness and stability in the rent market, protecting tenants from exorbitant rent increases and providing them with a sense of security in their homes. However, the current system falls short of meeting these needs, leaving tenants vulnerable to exploitation by landlords.”

The petition calls upon the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ensure that the following measures are enacted at once:

Rent Control for all Buildings

Update Ontario rent regulations to enact rent control (is outlined) below for all buildings, not just those built before November 2018.

Same Rent for New Tenants

Introduce legislation that mandates new tenants to pay the same rent as former tenants within a building. This will prevent arbitrary increases and ensure affordability for all.

Allowable Annual Rental Increases

Calculate annual rental increases based on inflation rates determined by the Government of Canada. By tying rental hikes to economic indicators such as inflation, we can strike a balance between protecting tenant rights and allowing landlords reasonable adjustment.

Public Rent Registry

Establish a publicly accessible rental registry where tenants can find out what previous occupants paid in rent for specific units, or buildings. Transparency is key to preventing unfair practices and empowering renters with information they need during negotiations.

Accessible Legal Aid

Provide access to legal aid services specifically tailored for tenants who wish to contest illegal rent hikes or address other housing related issues through proper legal channels. This support will level the playing field between landlords with resources at their disposal and vulnerable renters seeking justice.

Stronger Enforcement & Tougher Penalties

Strengthen enforcement mechanisms against landlords who neglect their maintenance responsibilities or fail to comply with established regulations regarding fair rents and habitable living conditions within their properties.

Another petition by Amanda Hoefman titled, “Protect Renters in Canada from Unlivable Costs,” calls for protection from exploitative landlords who are driven by profit motives amidst the failures of the Ontario provincial government to act. The petition quotes statistics from Rentas.ca which show that renters have seen an average of $224 per month increase in rent from the January 2023 Rent Report, which is a 12% increase from a year ago.

The question was posed “What will we do if this continues?” It notes further that with a mean income of $40,000 per year for the average Canadian, and a landlord requesting prospective tenants to make $100,000 a year to obtain a one-bedroom apartment.

The petition states explicitly, “The Government of Canada has a duty to find and implement solutions to the unaffordable housing crisis we are seeing in cities across the country. We need national regulations that protect people so they can afford a roof over their heads.”