Group rallies in front of N.S. legislature to support continued rent control
An all-day rally was held Thursday outside the Nova Scotia legislature to draw attention to rent control.
Justin Lundrigan delivers furniture. His partner, Natasha Moore, is a human relations advisor. They, along with their son Jaylen, were couch-surfing for more than a year as they looked for an apartment.
"He shouldn't have to hear his parents at night, stressed and having conversations about this," says Lundrigan ... "About whether we're going to have roof to sleep under," adds Moore.
They were among a group of approximately 100 people who rallied outside the legislature to encourage the province to keep their two per cent cap on rent increases.
"Since this new government has come in we have not had any meetings either private or in public but really we didn't have much luck with the last government," says organizer and ACORN chair Hannah Wood.
Premier Tim Houston is on the record saying rent control is not the answer to the housing crunch, but Wood disagrees.
"Over 200 cities in the states have rent control, several provinces in Canada have rent control, development has not ceased, the housing market has not ceased, landlords have not thrown up their leases and walked away from the market," Wood says.
Aidan Thompkins does have an apartment, but he says his rent has increased 33 per cent in the last two years, from $1,350 to $1,750 a month.
He and his roommates can pay rent but he says they have nothing left after they do.
"I'm in a three-bedroom apartment," Thompkins said. "I have two roommates, we have very few assets, we can't really take on any assets or anything else at the moment because all of our money is being poured into paying rent."
For Lundrigan, Moore and their son, their year-long search for an apartment has paid off. They found a place on Wednesday and they consider themselves among the lucky ones to finally have that roof over their heads.
"There's a playground right next to our house," says Jaylen. "That's something I'm really excited about."
ACORN played a role in getting the province to implement the temporary rent control measures that are in place. Those measures are set to end when the state of emergency is lifted.
CTV News reached out to the premier's office for comment on rent control, but was told he was unavailable.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.