Useless response from the government

A week or so ago, I wrote the Alberta government regarding the rent hardships ongoing in Edmonton. If you look back at Monday April 30th, you'll see my blog entry on it. Here is the government's reply to my email:

"Thank you for your inquiry.

On April 24, 2007 the Government of Alberta responded to the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force with a series of measures for Albertans.

Effective immediately, rent will increase less often and landlords will need to provide more notice before turning a rental unit into a condominium. Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Act will be introduced in the current sitting of the Legislature that will limit rent increases to once a year. This will apply to both periodic and fixed-term tenancies. If the 365th day occurs during the term of a fixed term tenancy, the landlord will not be able to increase the rent until the tenancy agreement ends. The minimum three-month rent increase notice for periodic residential tenancies and six-month notice for mobile home site tenants will continue to be in place. As well, under the amendments, landlords wanting to end a tenancy to undertake major renovations or to convert a rental unit to a condominium will need to provide at least one year’s notice. A year’s notice is also required to convert mobile home sites to condominium units or to obtain vacant possession for other land uses. No rental increases will be allowed during that year. If passed, the amendments will be retroactive to April 24, 2007, and will be in effect for two years.

The government priorities are addressing challenges today and building for the future. As such, Alberta will not be introducing any limits on the amount of rent increases. We are aware that economic growth is creating housing pressures and Municipal Affairs and Housing offers several housing programs available to assist Albertans.

If rent causes a financial hardship, the contact number in Edmonton is (780) 422-0122. If you are calling from within Alberta but outside the Edmonton dialling area, phone 310-0000 toll-free and follow the instructions.

OR

If rent causes a financial hardship, the contact number in Calgary is (403) 297-7453. If you are calling from within Alberta but outside the Calgary dialling area, phone 310-0000 toll-free and follow the instructions.

If you believe that your landlord has raised your rent without proper notice, or more often than the legislation permits, please call Service Alberta’s Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088.

We appreciate your taking the time to bring your concerns to our attention.

Visit Service Alberta's website at http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/ for comprehensive registries and consumer information and services."

In summary, if you didn't bother to read the whole letter, it tells me things I already know (eg. that rent can only be increased once a year, that you must have 3 months notice before rent increases (wasn't this already true before their new legislation?), that you must have 1 year's notice if they are turning your apartment into condos). Apparently "addressing challenges today and building for the future" does not mean "addessing the challenges of excessive rent today". I guess I didn't expect anything else from the government in their reply, but I still find it disappointing.