NDP GETS GOVERNMENT TO OVERHAUL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
An NDP motion to establish an all-party committee to conduct public consultations to receive the views and opinions of Yukon residents on what changes should be made to the outdated Landlord and Tenant Act received unanimous consent in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
“People have told us for years the current legislation is past its best-before date, no longer serves the needs of either tenants or landlords and desperately needs a major overhaul to bring it up to modern-day standards,” NDP MLA Steve Cardiff says.
The committee has the power to seek background information from experts and other jurisdictions. It can also call and hear from witnesses.
The committee is to report its findings to the Legislative Assembly in the spring of 2010. The motion also calls on the government to either introduce substantive changes to the existing law or table a brand-new act in the same sitting.
“The Yukon is one of the last jurisdictions in Canada that allows evictions without cause,” Cardiff adds. “The Yukon also fails to set minimal health and safety standards for rental properties and fails to provide for a compulsory mediation process to resolve landlord-tenant conflicts.”
If the all-party committee calls on the government to bring forward new legislation, the NDP hopes it is written in plain language that anyone can understand. One of the main criticisms with the current law is its archaic language.
“The current legislation was passed in 1972,” Cardiff notes. “In all that time it has never been reviewed or amended with the intent to modernize it and to resolve current problems. It is my hope the committee’s recommendations for improvements result in an increased stock of rental housing that is safe, healthy and affordable.”
While recognizing the timeframe is tight, he encourages all members of the public to participate in this important and long-overdue process.
“We have every expectation the government will take this initiative seriously and make it a top priority. This is our opportunity to make changes that will result in greater protection for both landlords and tenants. If we do this right, we can provide the best protection possible for all Yukoners by tailoring our act to fit their unique needs.”