Federal government announces new measures to help renters

Ahead of the upcoming federal budget, the Canadian government has announced new measures to help renters and to make it easier for them to become homeowners.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez held a press conference on Wednesday in Montreal to discuss some of the new plans.

Guilbeault said that the government understands how difficult it is for renters and why it’s important to protect their rights.

“We know that tenants have difficulty navigating the various provincial laws and lack resources to fight conflicts with their landlords, whether it’s a faulty heating system, an illegal rent increase, or the so-called rent evictions,” he explained. “To protect renters’ rights and ensure that renting at home is fair, open, and transparent, I’m proud to announce, starting in 2024-25, we will provide $15 million in federal support to a new tenant protection fund.”

The $15 million tenant protection fund will provide legal aid to better protect tenants against unjust rising rent costs, renovictions and bad landlords.

One new measure will include making sure that renters get credit for on-time rent payments.

The Canadian government will amend the Canadian Mortgage Charter and want landlords, banks and credit bureaus to make sure that rental history will be considered for credit scores.

“It’s too hard to find an affordable place to rent, especially for younger Canadians. That’s why in budget 2024, we’re taking action to protect renters, make the rental market fairer, and open new pathways for renters to become homeowners. Let’s make sure renters count,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a press release.

Additionally, the federal government will create a new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights which will be developed and implemented in partnership with provinces and territories.

This would require landlords to disclose a history of apartment pricing so that renters can negotiate fairly.

“This bill of rights could include measures to combat rent evictions, introduce a nationwide standard for lease, agreement, and increase landlord transparency, particularly in regards to the pricing history of humans,” said Guilbeault.

The Canadian government’s budget will be tabled in the House of Commons on April 16, 2024.