Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Guelph, sent the letter seen below to Premier Ford yesterday, asking him to allocate a portion of the $3.8 billion contingency and reserve fund to create an Emergency Rent Relief Fund that would allow individuals to access up to $2,000 towards their April rent payment.
Dear Premier,
As you are aware, April 1 is just a few days away and many tenants are unable to make their rent payments due to lost earnings associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
While I appreciate the Government of Ontario has asked landlords to be flexible, this is not a sustainable solution for providing security and peace of mind during these difficult times.
We need a solution that provides cash flow relief for small landlords, while ensuring that tenants do not face undue financial pressure today or once the pandemic is over.
In these challenging times, the Government of Ontario has a responsibility to provide direct financial assistance to offset lost earnings and ensure people can remain safely in their homes.
With the passage of Bill 188, Economic and Fiscal Update Act, 2020, contingency funds and reserves totalling $3.8 billion were established for non-health related COVID-19 measures.
I am requesting the government access a portion of these funds to create an emergency rent relief fund of up to $2,000 per renter for anyone unable to pay their rent on April 1.
Immediate provincial rent relief is essential because federal assistance for individuals is not available until at least April 6. Once Ontarians begin to receive these federal subsidies, they will
still require a provincial supplement, owing to the housing affordability crisis in our province.
Premier, you have promised to spare no expense in this crisis. An emergency rent relief fund is the most efficient solution to give tenants and landlords certainty and financial protection.
I urge you to take this first step to help tenants and landlords before the Legislature resumes on April 14 to consider additional measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sincerely,
Mike Schreiner
MPP, Guelph
Leader of the Green Party of Ontario
