Council urges province to reconsider rent control changes under Bill 60

DARRYL KNIGHT, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Concerns over housing affordability and tenant stability prompted local elected officials to call on the provincial government to rethink proposed changes to rent control legislation which could further strain the rental market.

At a recent meeting, council supported a resolution, after receiving a memorandum from Councillor Pat Warren, regarding rent control. The resolution endorses a motion passed by the Municipality of Wawa, urging the province to provide adequate protection against excessive and malicious rent increases, for all residential rental units, while still allowing landlords to operate viable and sustainable businesses.

Councillor Warren said, preserving affordability in existing rental housing must be a priority, alongside new construction. “Across the province, there is an urgent need, not only to build new affordable rental housing but also to preserve the affordability of the units people already live in,” Councillor Warren said, the removal of rent control on new units, in 2018, has contributed to significant rent increases in many communities.

The resolution also raises concerns about proposed changes under Bill 60, which could remove additional rent protections. Councillor Warren cautioned, without safeguards, rent increases can be used to push tenants out of their homes. “Unlimited rent increases can become a tool for displacement, particularly for long-standing tenants, who have been paying stable rents for years,” he said.

Later, Councillor Mike Perry, who seconded the motion, said, the issue reflects what residents across Kawartha Lakes are experiencing. “We are hearing from people who are worried about losing their homes because rents are rising faster than incomes,” Councillor Perry said. “Stability in the rental market is essential for families, seniors, and workers who want to stay in our communities.”

Councillor Perry also emphasized the need for balance in any rent control framework, pointing to challenges faced by small-scale landlords. “If we are going to ask landlords to provide stability for tenants, the province also needs to ensure the system works when issues arise,” he noted, referencing ongoing delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

The memorandum stresses, improvements to tribunal operations are necessary to ensure disputes are resolved in a timely and fair manner, for both tenants and landlords. Council agreed, pairing rent stability measures with a functional adjudication system would help protect vulnerable tenants while supporting sustainable rental operations.

As part of the decision, council directed a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and local MPP Laurie Scott. The motion was moved by Councillor Warren, seconded by Councillor Perry, and carried.