Man. premier says rent freeze will help people

The Manitoba government announced a rent freeze and a suspension of nonurgent eviction hearings Tuesday to help people cope with the economic fallout of COVID-19.

Premier Brian Pallister said any rent hikes slated for April 1 and after are temporarily off the table so that people who have lost their jobs or who have reduced income due to health issues can more easily make ends meet.

“These measures announced today will help to reduce the financial uncertainty and stress for many Manitobans,” Pallister said. “For them, this is just one less worry to carry.”

Non-urgent eviction hearings for things such as unpaid rent are postponed until at least May 31. Urgent issues such as illegal tenant activity will continue to be heard.

The Opposition New Democrats have called on the province to go further and offer financial aid so that tenants can defer rent payments for up to six months.

Pallister said his plan is fair to both renters and landlords. He also said renters who have lost their jobs can draw on federal Employment Insurance.

“It is providing significant support to people at a time of need,” he said.

The province also announced Tuesday that it is temporarily suspending non-essential, routine diagnostic tests to protect health-care workers and patients from the spread of COVID-19.

“This includes laboratory blood tests, diagnostic imaging and cardiac services,” Lanette Siragusa, the province’s chief nursing officer said.

Affected patients will be contacted.

“Urgent diagnostic testing ... of course will continue with appropriate screening and cautions in place.”

Health officials revealed one new probable case of COVID-19, bringing the total of confirmed and presumptive cases in the province to 21.