Regulating Fixed Term Leases - QP

THE SPEAKER « » : The honourable Leader of the New Democratic Party.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I want to tell the Premier about Erin Vasseur, who has spent recent years in a state of fear, unsure whether her landlords would renew her fixed-term lease. Last year, they renewed, but this new lease came in at 33 per cent higher, and now her landlords are selling the building with its undervalued rents as a major selling point. Faced with losing her home, Erin says she now may have to leave Nova Scotia entirely. The Premier likes to say that he stands up for Nova Scotians, but how is he standing up for Erin, not in the future but right now?

THE PREMIER « » : We know the solution to the housing crisis is more housing. That's why we're moving forward with housing construction. Housing construction starts are up. That's why we did something like the MOST program - the More Opportunities for Skilled Trades - so we can have the people in the workforce to help build those homes. We know we didn't break these things over night. We're working hard to fix them, but the Liberals and the NDP - their record on housing is very clear. When the NDP was in government, and certainly those years under the Liberals, no money, no investment, no action, and even now today they stand shoulder to shoulder with those that are trying to block developments. The solution to this problem is more housing, and the members opposite can get on board with helping us get that done.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : The Premier relies on his reinterpretation of the past and his casting forward to a beautiful future, and I am asking a question about the present. Erin is not alone in her struggle. Ian Henderson, another renter in our province, was forced to accept an illegal rent increase with three days' notice. Why? Because his landlord told him he would be evicted if he didn't accept it. Now Ian knows the rules, but he's afraid that if he reports significant maintenance issues to the Tenancy Board, his landlord won't just threaten eviction but will end his lease before the Board can do anything. In Ian's words, "If we complain or request too much maintenance, we get kicked out." Will the Premier stand up for Ian today?

THE PREMIER « » : There is a process in place, and I encourage all Nova Scotians who feel they're in a situation where that process is necessary that they should apply to that process. It's there. It works. We'll continue to work on that. If we step back, we need more housing in this province. That's why we're removing barriers to the construction of housing. That's why there are more houses being built right now than anytime in the past decade. That's why we will continue to support those who want to help build a better Nova Scotia. There is a good future in this province. There are issues today, but we're working through them. There are opportunities for the members opposite to get on board and support Nova Scotia.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : While we build housing, we need to protect the 300,000 Nova Scotians who are renters. Kelsey Bennett signed a fixed-term lease for her current apartment in 2021 with the promise that after the first year it could transition into a periodic lease. Despite multiple requests and three lease renewals, she is still on a fixed-term lease. Earlier this spring, she learned that her neighbours' fixed-term leases were not being renewed because their landlord can charge new tenants so much more. According to Kelsey: "I now face the same anxiety, wondering if I will be forced out when my lease ends." Will the Premier stand up for Kelsey, Ian, Erin, and the hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotians who rent their homes and fix this . . .

THE SPEAKER « » : Order.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : . . . now?

THE SPEAKER « » : Order.

THE PREMIER « » : Of course, the legislation that's being debated in this Chamber right now with the rent cap, the extension of the rent cap and other modifications, are meant to protect tenants and protect that relationship. We'll continue to move those items forward.