The federal Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights has been released
[Media Release image above, Text Version below]
Media Release: FMTA's Perspective on the Renter's Bill of Rights
19 September 2024
The federal Liberal government recently consulted with the FMTA (among others) on their prospective Renters Bill of Rights. We met with staff several times during the spring and summer.
Toronto's population is 50% tenants and Toronto has long been a Liberal stronghold in terms of party representation. Regardless, this was the first time in 15 years that the federal Liberals or federal government has ever reached out to the FMTA.
While we had concerns that the original proposals for the Renters Bill of Rights were written by landlords in the government, we did our best during consultations to inform them of the main issues tenants face: the rent is too damn high, tenants are constantly subject to criminal eviction fraud, and landlords frequently refuse to do 100% of maintenance when tenants pay 100% of rent. We also advocated for policies that would actually make a difference for tenants, like vacancy control.
While we weren't expecting much, the Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights released this week still managed to disappoint. The Liberals did not undertake any major programs to address housing affordability. They didn't even consider a basket of cheap and free policies to help renters. In the end, they chose to take no real action during a brutal and grinding housing crisis.
Half the population of Toronto deserves better than this. All tenants in Canada deserve a government that cares about their wellbeing and the right to housing.
-FMTA