Debates of February 24, 2005 (day 43)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions at this point are for the Minister of Justice. Within that department is the responsibility for the Residential Tenancies Act. Mr. Speaker, the government has already committed to a review of this act and I would like the Minister, if he could, to give us a snapshot on when renters and landlords both can expect an opportunity to contribute to this review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 478-15(3): Review Of Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I was going to do a Minister's statement on this issue on Monday, but the answer is we will be launching the consultation process very soon, with advertisements in the newspapers and we will have a web site available for people. As well, we will go out and do focus group consultations and there will also be some direct mail-out, to people that we know are stakeholders, to solicit their input. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 478-15(3): Review Of Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will still look forward to the Minister’s statement on Monday, by the way. I am wondering in the criteria for this, are there going to be any limitations or anything that is not going to be considered in this, Mr. Speaker. Are there any criteria at all of what will or will not be considered in the review of this act? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 478-15(3): Review Of Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are planning to solicit specific comment in certain areas where we have had recommendations for change, particularly from the rentals officer. We are also going to open the door on comments on any area that landlords and tenants care to comment on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 478-15(3): Review Of Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to hear that there is going to be an open door on it. There is one particular area that has touched a lot of nerves, and that is those two words used in one sentence that can be very dangerous: “rent control.” It is a situation that we have had exposure to here in Yellowknife, and very recently one of our other larger communities has a situation that was brought to the attention of this Legislature. Is that something that this government will consider if there is strong public support and interest in pursuing that kind of a policy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 478-15(3): Review Of Residential Tenancies Act

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now that I have just about said everything that I was going to say in the Minister’s statement, I doubt that I will bother to say one. Members will see in the response to the petition that will be tabled tomorrow, there is encouragement for landlords and tenants to submit their comments to this government on rent control. We are interested in hearing the comments from the public on both sides and then we will assess where we go, once we have had the opportunity for that input. Thank you.