The 2011 Ontario Provincial election will take place October 6, 2011
At this time of fiscal constraints, inflation, jobless rate, environmental concerns and continuing economic uncertainties, the daily lives of many Ontarians are affected adversely. In particular, many tenants seeking affordable housing face tough choices trying to keep a roof over their heads and feeding their families. In this election it is critical that candidates seeking your support find creative ways to address the ongoing challenge of an adequate supply of affordable rental housing and sustainable employment that provides a living wage.
Tenants also have serious concerns about the Residential Tenancies Act, a legislation that comes under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Government. The purpose of this legislation is “to create a rental housing system that protects tenants, helps landlords and promotes investment in Ontario’s rental housing market. “ (Refer to: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page137.aspx)
However, many tenants continue to question who is really protected under this act since ‘vacancy decontrol’ allows landlords to charge whatever the market will bear when a tenant vacates a unit. Vacancy decontrol does not promote affordable housing for tenants but is of great financial benefit to landlords. (Refer to: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1702.aspx)
Under the Residential Tenancies Act tenants also have to deal with complicated and daunting procedures at the Landlord and Tenant Board when addressing landlord violations. These procedures should be less intimidating for tenants. So, before casting vote, tenants should engage candidates in discussions about the many challenges tenants face. Our government must also focus on creating a sustainable supply of affordable housing for our rapidly increasing seniors population. Emphasis in your discussion should be on ideas and policies that result in an adequate supply of affordable rental housing for all tenants.
For your convenience the candidates running for office in Beaches-East York are listed below:
New Democrat – Michael Prue (Incumbent) http://michaelprue.com/
Liberal – Helen Burstyn http://voteburstyn.ca/
Progressive Conservative – Chris Menary http://chrismenary.com/
Green Party – Shawn Ali http://www.gpo.ca/riding/5/candidate
Freedom Party – Naomi Poley-Fisher http://www.freedomparty.on.ca/
Independent – Joe Ross
For more information about voting regulations and eligibility call: 1 888 668-8683 or visit the Elections Ontario website at: http://www.elections.on.ca/en-CA/
NOTE – The East York Tenants Group maintains political neutrality and does not endorse or promote any of the candidates running in the Ontario Provincial election.
Nothing much about affordable housing by the leaders in this election. Vacancy Recontrol plays a major role in skyrocketing rents but that topic is a no mans land for all politicians. And the vacancy rate is very low at the moment. The entire world is in a financial mess and Who ever wins this election can’t do much about the worsening economic situation and the provincial deficit. One of the reasons Ontario is in this financial mess is that governments at all levels are overstaffed with a bunch of overpaid inept incompetents who got the job in first place because they’knew someone’. Too much bloated bureacracy.
Jobs are disappearing. Many of us have to make do with temporary jobs that barely pay a living wage. Most of my salary is eaten up in my rent and it keep skyrocketing. Everything is going up in price except our wages. When candidates come to the door they are full of smiles and vague promises that we know they can’t keep. I am fed up with the lot of them. Why can’t any of them come up with good ideas to fix the economy? The whole world is in a mess.
I am so dissolutioned with all the politicians. They insult our intelligence. Too much tax grabbing from ordinary people who can barely afford basic living costs while an entitled elite class get preferential treatment and all kinds of tax breaks. Too many empty promises they know just won’t be able to keep.
You’re right on the button…. many of us are having a hard time struggling to balance rental costs and feeding our families. I am paying more than 65 percent of my income in rent and thanks to food banks I can supplement my grocery bill. Why isn’t affordable housing a priority in this election?