June 27, 2005

Dear Ms. Loponen:

Thank you for your letter of May 24, 2005, regarding the Tenant Protection Act, 1997 (TPA) and specifically the key issues regarding tenants' rights throughout the province.

Our government understands that tenants have faced difficulties under the current law. We have committed to introducing legislation to replace the TPA with fair and effective tenant/landlord protection. We have concluded a province-wide consultation on a very complex issue and we are now taking the time we need to get the legislation right.

Please note that the government's June 2004 amendment to the TPA, which changed how the annual rent-control guideline for 2005 was based solely on the Rent Control Index - a formula that takes into account increases in operating costs faced by landlords - and was set at 1.5 per cent (the lowest amount in Ontario's history of rent controls). The 2006 guideline will be calculated in accordance with the June 2004 amendment.

I am also pleased to inform you that the government has, with support from all parties, appointed Dr. Lilian Ma as Chair of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal.

We appreciate your participation in the consultation process as well as hearing from members of the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations. Thank you for adding your voice to this discussion.

Sincerely,

John Gerretsen
Minister