Many residents across Alberta struggle to afford a one-bedroom apartment, a situation that is far from unique. Housing costs have risen significantly in recent years, pushing numerous individuals and families towards financial instability and preventing them from living independently. Alberta experienced unprecedented increases in rental costs between 2016 and 2021, far outpacing wage growth.
While recent construction efforts have increased housing supply, particularly in purpose-built rentals, the overall housing shortage remains a critical concern. For instance, the City of Calgary's Chief Housing Officer has indicated that the city still requires tens of thousands of additional housing units to meet demand, highlighting that current growth, while positive, is not enough to close the widening gap.
Crucially, unlike most other Canadian provinces, Alberta continues to lack legislated rent caps. This absence of regulation leaves tenants vulnerable to unlimited rent increases, fostering immense instability. Reports from early 2025 continue to show that a significant portion of low-income households, particularly those earning less than $60,000 annually, face severe challenges in securing affordable housing. Examples of rent hikes of 200% on existing tenants have been reported in Edmonton in April 2025, underscoring the extreme vulnerability without rent control.
This volatile market, driven by factors such as population growth and the lack of protective measures, creates undue stress on individuals who simply want an affordable and accessible place to call home. Despite provincial and federal initiatives to increase housing supply and offer some rental assistance, these efforts do not address the fundamental issue of uncontrolled rent increases for existing tenancies.
To address this critical issue and ensure housing security for all Albertans, we propose that the Government of Alberta immediately implements rent caps to alleviate the financial burden for tenants and bring much-needed stability to the housing market.
Please sign this petition today to support struggling Albertans facing rising rents and advocate for fair housing policies. Help us urge the Government of Alberta to implement rent caps and ensure affordable, stable housing for all.