Fighting for their rights
Ottawa announces in Stratford that upcoming budget will offer people more protection
STRATFORD, P.E.I. – Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay announced a plan on March 27 to protect people who rent and make it easier for them to become future homeowners.
MacAulay said the federal government is going to launch a $15-million Tenant Protection Fund, create a Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights and make sure renters get credit for on-time rent payments. It is all part of the government’s budget address that will be on April 16.
“We understand this is provincial jurisdiction,” MacAulay told SaltWire in an interview after making the announcement at Stratford Town Hall. “That’s why we have to involve all the provinces first, and I’m sure they will all want this, too, and we will work together.”
The Tenant Protection Fund would provide funding to legal aid and tenants’ rights advocacy organizations to better protect tenants against unfairly rising rent payments, renovictions or bad landlords.
A new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights has been developed and implemented in partnership with provinces and territories. This would require landlords to disclose a clear history of apartment pricing so renters can bargain fairly. The government also plans on cracking down on
renovictions and creating a nationwide standard lease agreement.
Ottawa also announced it will make sure renters get credit for on-time payments.
MacAulay said renters deserve credit for the money they put toward rent over the years, especially when it comes to applying for a mortgage on their first home. Government is going to amend the Canadian Mortgage Charter and call on landlords, banks, credit bureaus and fintech companies to make sure that rental history is taken into account in a credit score.
MacAulay wanted to underline that government is not taking over anything from provincial jurisdiction.
“We want to make sure the individual is informed what their rights are and, if not, they have somebody to go to indicate what their rights are and go to bat for them,” the federal MP said.
MacAulay said there are more renters in Canada than ever before, growing at double the rate of home buyers.
Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey, who attended the March 27 announcement, said this is about the federal government getting creative when it comes to rent.
Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden, who was also at the news conference, said this announcement is welcome news after the federal government recently revealed that the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation will invest almost $5 million to help the town fast-track the construction of 180 housing units over the next three years.
That funding will help the town shorten development timelines, waive fees for affordable housing developments and rezone land within Stratford.
“This will address the challenge of housing,” Ogden said.
“We will work to build more homes faster … and reduce barriers. We need to construct 2,000 more homes here in Stratford.”
The town will establish pre-approved design plans for townhouses and multiplexes, and an e-permitting system will be put in place to help streamline the application process.
Ogden said the money will also help make progress on the Shape Stratford housing supply project, which included $1.1 million from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation aimed at finding solutions to barriers around creating a new housing supply.
Ogden said Stratford has led the region in population growth for two out of three recent census periods.