FREDERICTON – Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton South David Coon says the latest effort to evict some of his constituents to avoid the rent cap would have been impossible if Service NB Minister Mary Wilson and government backbenchers had voted in favour of his amendments to plug the leaks in the rent cap bill.  

“Now the chickens have come home to roost, thanks to the refusal to eliminate the loopholes from the bill, but it is renters, like my constituents, who are paying the price,” said Coon.  “It is inhumane to force people from their homes, and even more so for the elderly.  The Premier should ask the Speaker to recall the Legislature, so we can stop this madness and protect renters from retribution.”

Additionally, the government’s rent cap is set to expire on January 1, 2023. Considering that landlords must give six months notice of a rent increase, New Brunswickers will begin receiving notices of rent increases that are above 3.8% on Canada Day.

“The rent cap needs to become permanent, and Minister Wilson needs to clearly state her intention to do this before Canada Day,” said Coon. “Otherwise, New Brunswickers will begin their long weekend by receiving notices of large rent increases for January 1^st. It’s time for the government to put the well-being of renters over that of those investors who are looking to make a quick killing in the current housing market.”