National

B.C. caps allowable rent increases at 3.5 per cent, 2 points lower than inflation

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Sep, 2023 01:10 PM

The British Columbia government has set the allowable rent increase for next year at 3.5 per cent.

The rate is more than two percentage points below the 12-month average inflation rate of 5.6 per cent.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says in a statement that costs have been increasing, especially for housing, at a rate that's unsustainable for many people, and this increase is a balance to protect renters, while keeping units on the market.

The increase can be effective on or after Jan. 1, 2024.

Opening 58 new homes with @MableElmore under a co-operative model that secures residents ongoing affordable housing with below market rates.

We know there is more work to do - but today we ensured 58+ more seniors in Vancouver have increased access to housing in their community. pic.twitter.com/na3JdDnGmP
— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) September 11, 2023

The government says landlords must provide three months' notice to tenants and they are only allowed to hike the rent once a year.

Before 2018, the annual allowable rent increase was based on inflation plus two per cent, a freeze was put in place during the pandemic and then the province set rent increases at two per cent for this year.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

The Liberals promised a stand-alone dental insurance plan for low- and middle-income Canadians who don't have private insurance as part of its supply and confidence deal with the NDP last year.

Dental care to cost $3B less than budgeted unless provinces drop coverage, PBO says

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

The Canadian government on Tuesday introduced a public policy that will be beneficial for immigrants, including those from India, to boost their career, job prospects, and chances of permanent residency.

Canada removes limit on study programmes' length for work permit holders

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $625 million of funding to help provinces and territories build child-care infrastructure. Trudeau says the money will be rolled out over four years and will help providers renovate, retrofit and build new not-for-profit and public child-care facilities.

Trudeau announces child-care infrastructure funding to build more spaces

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

In a survey of 1,512 Canadian adults, Leger found that only 23 per cent would pass the citizenship test, based on their answers to 10 randomly selected questions. People who wish to become Canadian need to answer 20 questions about citizens' rights and responsibilities, as well as Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

Think you could pass the citizenship test? Poll shows most Canadians would flunk

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canadian wildfires are continuing to send heavy clouds of smoke south, from Northern Ontario and Quebec, through both provinces and into the United States. Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for large areas of Ontario and Quebec warning of high levels of air pollution due to the smoke.

Canadian wildfires send smoke south, triggering air quality warnings

Canada welcomes largest number of immigrants in first quarter since at least 1972

Statistics Canada says the country welcomed more than 145,000 immigrants during the first three months of the year. That's the highest number for a single quarter on record, since comparable data became available in 1972.