Toronto Renters Forum

Am I having déjà vu or are Doug Ford's Conservatives again trying to take credit for something Dalton McGuinty gave us renters years ago?

In announcing that the Guideline Rent Increase is going to be 2.5% this year, the Conservatives are again trying to take credit for capping this increase below the cost of living...  here's a couple of quotes:

The Ontario government is continuing to strengthen protections for tenants by holding the rent increase guideline for 2024 at 2.5 per cent, well below the average inflation rate of 5.9 per cent.

... and ...

“Our government knows the cost of living continues to be a challenge for many Ontarians, including renters, which is why we are holding the rent increase guideline at 2.5 per cent,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

But as I pointed-out last year, the 2.5% maximum guideline rent increase is codified in Section 120 (2) 2, "Guideline", of the Residential Tenancies Act.

This is not a change the Conservatives introduced into the law – that stipulation has been in the Residential Tenancies Act since June 19 of 2012 (according to Canlii), when it was passed into law by Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government.

So it’s good news about the guideline being capped, but disappointing to see Ford yet again taking credit for something that he did not not do.  In fact, the changes that the Conservatives have made the law have removed rent control for new buildings – Ford is no friend to renters!