MPP for Kitchener Centre introduces first private member’s bill that aims to protect Ontario renters

It’s the first run at pushing forward a private member’s bill in Queen’s Park for MPP of Kitchener Centre and Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy. The bill titled the Keeping People Housed Act focuses on protecting tenants living in the province.

If passed, the bill could bring some much-needed relief for renters who have been feeling the burden of rising rent prices.

“I’m proposing solutions we know have worked in the past, that ensure that people who pay their rent get to stay where they are and ensure they have a place to live,” said Clancy during an interview on The Mike Farwell Show on Wednesday.

One of the key measures included in the bill is expanding rent control to all buildings, not just the ones built before 2018. The current rent control in the province only applies to apartment buildings built before November 2018.

Clancy said Renovictions have become more popular, with more and more people being displaced in recent years.

“We’re seeing explosions of people living in tents, living in their cars, living in their parents house.”

Another measure Clancy thinks will aid Ontario renters is reinstating vacancy control for landlords, which would limit rent increases between tenancies. Currently, a landlord applies for a N13 application when they want to evict a tenant to renovate an apartment unit. The bill Clancy is proposing would increase requirements for landlords before they can file one.

“Their making a lot of money every time they displace somebody legally or illegally,” said Clancy.

“People on fixed incomes really can’t afford these exorbitant rent increases, so that’s happening more then ever before in our rental sector.”

Another measure introduced in the bill is ensuring that any building that would be demolished with six or more apartment units with below mid-range rents would be replaced with at least the same number and type of units.

Also listed is the creation of a Rental Task Force which would report on issues in the province related to rental price increases that are above-guidelines.

During The Mike Farwell Show, Clancy mentioned she thought the current Landlord and Tenant Board is broken, adding only 14 landlords have been fined in the last 4 years.

“We all recognize its an issue we might disagree on how we get to the finish line or the supports that need to take place to address it, but I’m optimistic it will definitely move the needle.”