PC government cuts support for renters
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This article was published 24/05/2021 (739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Just about every family in northeast Winnipeg has faced new financial hardships since the onset of COVID-19. For some, the loss of a job or reduced income has put immense strain on their pocketbook. For others, new expenses such as grocery delivery or curbside pickup fees have meant one additional cost to budget for. And for almost every Manitoban, the PC government’s unprecedented Hydro rate increase has forced our electricity and gas bills to rise even higher.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Pallister government now wants renters to bear the brunt, too.
Since the pandemic began, my office has heard from dozens across Concordia from East Elmwood to Valley Gardens worried about increases to their rent. It’s no wonder why: last year, every single above guideline rent increase that Manitoba landlords applied for was granted by the Residential Tenancies Branch, with no exceptions.
It’s not just these increases making life harder for renters, though. As renters continue struggling to make ends meet, the Pallister government is now forcing them to take an additional $700 hit with their Bill 71.
This legislation puts big cheques into the pockets of the most well-off Manitobans while slashing benefits for renters. It will decrease the $700 tax credit that all renters in Manitoba currently recieve to by 25 per cent this year, an immediate loss of $175, while eventually phasing the tax credit out altogether. What’s more, these renters’ landlords will receive cheques in the mail for 10% of their education property taxes on every property they own this year—potentially thousands of dollars.
This means that big, out-of-province corporations will be getting cheques for tens of thousands, and the wealthiest Manitobans who own the most property will reap the biggest benefits. Meanwhile, working people who rent here in Concordia will see benefits clawed back.
The Pallister government’s reckless Bill 71 is bad news for northeast Winnipeg. Our NDP team has committed to standing up to their bills in the Legislature, while fighting for financial relief for families. We’ll keep pushing the government for a better deal for renters and work to make sure every Manitoban can get their bills paid.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on how Bill 71 and slashing renters’ benefits will affect your family, please reach out to my office at 204-654-1857 or matt.wiebe@YourManitoba.ca
Matt Wiebe
Concordia constituency report
Matt Wiebe is the NDP MLA for Concordia.