Saskatchewan Opposition calls for rent control

Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP says it plans to introduce a rent control bill in the legislature this fall.

At a news conference in Saskatoon on Thursday, Opposition housing critic April ChiefCalf said the party has started a public consultation process, inviting people to share their experiences and suggestions at rentcontrolnow.ca, a website the NDP has set up.

ChiefCalf said feedback will shape the private member's legislation she intends to introduce.

"Saskatchewan people are drowning in debt. We hear stories of people paying their rent on credit, forced to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table," she said.

B.C., Ontario, Manitoba and P.E.I. already have rent control measures.

ChiefCalf said seniors on fixed incomes are bearing the brunt of it.

"I have also spoken to young people who don't believe they will ever be able to afford the down payment on their first home," she said.

Asked for comment on the proposal, the provincial government provided a statement saying rent control would make the housing situation in the province worse.

"Rent controls have caused housing shortages wherever they have been tried," the statement said.

"Jurisdictions that have introduced rent control legislation frequently see fewer new housing units being built, ultimately resulting in less affordable housing being available."

The statement referenced the Saskatchewan Housing Benefit, which provided some assistance to low to moderate income families for rent and utilities. It also mentioned that social housing is available, and that the province has offered grants for secondary suites and PST rebates for new home construction to stimulate the housing supply.

Jean Carroll, 86, was at the NDP news conference promoting a petition campaign after seeing rents skyrocket in her apartment building.

"Our rents have gone from 10 to 30 per cent practically, and that in dollars is $185 to $425 per month increase. We cannot afford it. It's hard to understand how the increases go unchecked in this province when in other provinces they have rent controls," Carroll said.

"I want this government to wake up and smell the coffee. We've got rent control in other provinces and it works very well."

Another tenant, 76-year-old Linda McWaters, said she and her 73-year-old husband have had to keep working to cover their rent. Their combined pension increase this year was just $42, while their rent rose by $156.

"It's not by choice, it's by kind of necessity. We're not in a position where we can't move things," McWaters said.