Good afternoon, Mr. Chitty

On behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence and I thank you for copying her on your email to provincial authorities. While residential tenancy matters are entirely the jurisdiction of the Province of New Brunswick, she has become increasingly alarmed by reports from her constituents of skyrocketing rent increases.

This is something no one had been talking to us about before about a month ago, but we are suddenly hearing about it every day. On a personal note, I will confess I didn’t even realize New Brunswick had no rent control legislation until three weeks ago, when I started researching the issue for one of Ginette’s constituents who was reporting a 60 percent  rent increase. Since then, we have heard many alarming stories, particularly from seniors.

As I write to you, Ms. Petitpas Taylor is drafting a letter to the Honourable Mary E. Wilson, the minister responsible for Service New Brunswick which is in turn responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act. The sheer number of signatures added to this petition in just 24 hours underscores what a widespread concern this is.

I can assure you Ginette shares your concern that homelessness and housing are already significant problems in our community which will only get much worse if runaway rent increases aren’t reined in.

Your Member of Parliament welcomes the views of her constituents on the issues that are important to them, whether supportive or critical.

You may rest assured that your comments and suggestions have been duly noted and are appreciated.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write

Sincerely, 

Brent

Brent Mazerolle

Executive Assistant/Adjoint exécutive

The Hon./l’hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C./c.p.