I have been renting in Manitoba, like many others, and the increasing rents are making it challenging for me to afford a roof over my head. It's not just me but countless others in the region who are balancing on the tight rope of financial instability whilst the rates keep surging unreasonably. Our plea is straightforward; we need rent control laws in place to protect tenants from excessive rent increases.

In the past five years, rentals in Manitoba have seen an extraordinary rise. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in 2021, the average rental price was 3% higher than the previous year's, despite the global downturn due to the pandemic. This pattern of rising rents year-on-year is unsustainable and unaffordable for many renters like myself.

Implementing rent control laws would not only shield us from precarious living conditions induced by high rents but also ensure a level playing field between landlords and tenants. Several provinces in Canada already have such legislation in place. In British Columbia, for instance, rental increases are limited to the inflation rate plus 2%, providing the renter with predictability and stability.

It's time for Manitoba to follow suit. We must implement legislation to curtail excessive rent increases and ensure the basic right to affordable housing for everyone. We urge our local government in Manitoba to enact rent control laws, and we urge you to join us in this fight. Please sign this petition and let your voice be heard.