NDP MPPs looks to close 'loopholes' on rent hikes
Ontario’s NDP wants to make it more difficult for landlords to jack up rents.
“If passed, this bill would ensure that when you move into a new apartment you pay the same rent as the previous tenant did,” said London North Centre NDP MPP Terence Kernaghan at a Tuesday news conference at the corner of Western Road and Platts Lane in London.
He was joined by NDP colleagues in Toronto and Ottawa who also held news conferences announcing the introduction of the Rent Stabilization Act: Pay What the Last Tenant Paid. The bill is to stabilize rents and crack down on renovictions.
“One of the most common stories I hear from renters is that when they move out their apartment goes back on the market costing anywhere from $200 to $400 more,” said Kerhnahgan.
He was joined by tenant Davis Whittington-Heeney, who said he and his partner have a baby on the way and they’re having a hard time finding a more suitable place to live than the unit they’re currently renting.
“I don’t know where I’m going to find an actual space where I can add a bedroom, still keep it in our budget, and still be able to live in this province,” said Whittington-Heeney.
Kernaghan said under the bill the only allowable increase would be limited to the annual government-regulated increase based on annual inflation.
In 2018 Premier Doug Ford’s PC government scrapped rental controls for new units. The government said it was meant to encourage more builds and increase the housing supply.
This was paused during the pandemic, but tenants in new builds will soon face a return to unrestricted rent hikes as the freeze comes to an end at the close of 2021.
Kernaghan said it’s a system that favours developers.
“It’s in their financial interest to keep moving tenants out and keep the rent prices going up.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.