NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says the uncertainty faced by renters across the country who are aided by a federal subsidy slated to expire in October is “horrible and inhumane,” and has promised reinstate the subsidies if elected.
Mulcair made the pledge after visiting Cloverdale Village, a large housing cooperative in Pierrefonds.
The residents there receive a rent subsidy, and when the supplement runs out, their rent will increase by double or even triple the current number.
Resident Shanna Norris is a single mother of three children and said she won't be able to make end meet when that happens.
“People are going through different meetings to figure out what's going on - it's kind of hectic,” she said.
Mulcair has pledged to reverse the cuts planned by the Conservative government and continue subsidies for Cloverdale Village, the largest housing cooperative in Canada, where 277 families or about 1,000 people live.
The NDP says it will renew expiring federal subsidies nationwide until 2020, but housing activist Francois Saillant is looking for clarity regarding other promises.
“What is less clear with Mr. Mulcair's plan right now is for new social housing will there be new money - not for affordable, rental market affordable programs – but new social housing,” he said.
