Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement from today and I have some questions today for the Minister of Justice. I discussed proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act in my Member’s statement, and a discussion paper which the Minister had put out during the month of September. One of the items in the discussion paper that I did not mention is titled Consistency with the Condominium Act and there are several provisions in there which the department is suggesting to bring the Residential Tenancies Act in line with the Condominium Act. I agree with the proposal that is suggested, but I think there is one missing. I think the Residential Tenancies Act should also look at providing easy access or a mechanism for a condo corporation to collect on arrears. Condo members have condo fees. When they don’t pay them, they are in arrears.
I would like to know from the Minister whether or not anything exists now for a condo corporation if they have members who are heavily in arrears, is there a mechanism for them to collect and if there is not, would he consider adding it. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not aware of every specific clause within the Condominium Act, but I’m happy to have the department take a look at it and provide some additional information to the Member. As far as committing to something I haven’t read, that’s not something I’m prepared to do at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thanks to the Minister. Good on you for not agreeing to something you haven’t read. I am right there with you on that one.
One of the things I highlighted in my statement was rent controls and limits on rental increases. Rent controls are highly debatable. There will be probably as many people on the no side as there are on the yes side on rent controls. I highlighted that there is no option for tenants if there is what they consider to be an unfair increase in their rent.
I would like to know whether or not the Justice department, in looking at this Residential Tenancies Act and their paper, did they look at this issue of unjustified rent. And if so, why is it not part of their discussion paper? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we did go out with a discussion paper that had eight key themes. We did get a significant number of responses to that discussion paper. We are currently pulling together a “what we heard” document which we are hoping to have out later this fall, which we will be happy and absolutely we will be taking it to committee to discuss before we move forward with an LP. We do hope to move forward with a legislative proposal either shortly before Christmas or shortly after Christmas, where we have an opportunity to work with committee on how we move forward with this particular legislation. Obviously, as the Member said, there is a lot of debate on both sides of the rent control issue and we’re happy to have those conversations as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Minister for answering my last question. It is very nice to hear things are moving forward and to get a time frame for it.
My Member’s statement suggested three possible solutions to helping tenants if they have what they consider to be a heavy rent increase or put some sort of limits on landlords. I would like to ask the Minister if, having heard them now, although the discussion paper is closed and the review is underway, will the Minister consider the three solutions that I mentioned in my statement. Will he consider them as they look at amendments to the act? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the question and answer period doesn’t provide a lot of opportunities for the Member to provide the details. I have a vague idea of what the Member is alluding to and I’m happy to work with committee to have these conversations and move forward to have a Residential Tenancies Act that works for all residents in the Northwest Territories, both landlords and tenants. I would be happy to have the conversation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Nadli.
