Tenants, landlords need financial aid

Re: Saskatchewan must halt evictions now (SP, March 24)

I agree wholeheartedly with the published letter stating that it would be medically and socially irresponsible and morally repugnant to eject people struggling financially due to COVID-19 from their homes. I would like to add that, while we demand “just and equitable” treatment for tenants, we also consider the position of landlords.

Saskatchewan landlords are not all large companies, such as Boardwalk, that can afford to temporarily receive no payments. Many are ordinary citizens with bills to pay, children to feed, jobs being cut, and mortgages (sometimes more than one). The rent they receive keeps their personal finances afloat.

While we ask the government for an eviction freeze, let us also ask the big banks for a clear and accessible process to defer mortgage payments. They say they are committed to this and the government is purchasing up to $50 billion in insured mortgage pools through CMHC to support their request that the banks defer mortgage payments for up to six months.

People are struggling to access these deferrals, which would provide small landlords the leeway to give their tenants rent breaks. This is a piece of the puzzle to protect everyone from the financial impacts of COVID-19.

Please, let’s put pressure on the banks to actively participate in government relief initiatives. The brunt of this economic crisis should be borne by those who can afford it — the government and the big banks — not by individual citizens, be they tenants or landlords.

Veda Jardine, Regina