The MP for Port Moody–Coquitlam tabled her fifth private member’s bill in the House of Commons last week — this time focusing on renters, and landlord greed.
On Dec. 11, NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo proposed Bill C-423, Protection of the Right to Adequate Housing Act, to change the National Housing Strategy Act.
“Working-class people are having a harder time finding homes they can afford,” said Zarrillo in a news release.
“Homeownership seems out of reach and rent is unaffordable even when places are falling apart because rich corporate investors have found a get-rich-quick scheme — buying up homes and gouging people.”
“It is past time to end this free ride for billionaires. It’s time for real people to come first,” she added.
If approved, the bill would also protect Canadians from unnecessary evictions.
Zarrillo’s latest bill follows her sponsorships for:
- Bill C-422, An Act to amend the Canada Disability Benefit Act
- Bill C-415, Flight Attendants’ Remuneration Act
- Bill C-360, Wasted Food Reduction and Recovery Act
- Bill C-304, National Food Waste Awareness Day Act
Zarrillo’s move on Bill C-423 came a day after she spoke in Parliament to call for action on rent gouging.
In response, Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon (Liberal) called on B.C. NDP Premier David Eby to address the matter.
“Inflation impacts all Canadians and shelter costs are part of the problem,” he told the Tri-City News.
“I encourage the Eby government to take a serious look at implementing more robust residential rent controls to complement the measures our Liberal government has to make housing more affordable for all British Columbians.”
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