Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner issued the following statement in response to the Premier’s news conference:

“I’m calling on the government to implement an emergency rent fund for people who cannot pay their rent on April 1.

Yesterday’s financial update failed to deliver direct financial relief to people to offset their lost earnings.

With the federal emergency benefit not kicking in for weeks, small landlords will face immediate financial hardship if tenants cannot pay their rent on April 1.

The province has a responsibility to step in to fill the gap. The Premier said he would spare no expense, and I am asking him to follow through with this promise.

Protecting renters and small landlords is an appropriate use of the $3.8 billion non-health related contingency fund that was approved yesterday.

The province should follow in the footsteps of Ottawa and other provinces that are providing direct cash benefits and rent subsidies of up to $2,000.”

source: media release, Green Party of Ontario