NDP housing promise includes new landlord limits, more help for non-profits
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is making waves in the first week of the campaign with a bold pledge to ban corporate landlords from purchasing existing affordable rental properties. The focus of his campaign has been on standing up for working people, as opposed to billionaires and millionaires, setting himself apart from the other party leaders.
Speaking at a campaign event outside a Toronto apartment complex, Singh emphasized the need for action to address the rising housing costs in Canada. He announced plans to prohibit large corporate landlords from engaging in the predatory practice of buying up affordable homes, a move that mirrors a previous NDP bill introduced last year.
This is not the first time Singh has addressed the issue of housing affordability in Toronto. Earlier in the week, he met with a woman named Erin Findley, whose building was purchased by Brookfield. Singh’s campaign stop on Friday once again featured Findley sharing her concerns about the possible demolition of their building to make way for condo towers.
In an effort to differentiate his party from the others, Singh highlighted Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s ties to Brookfield, questioning whether he still has financial holdings associated with the company. Carney has placed his assets in a blind trust and is in the process of disclosing any potential conflicts of interest with the ethics commissioner.
In addition to the ban on corporate landlords, Singh announced plans to end federal financial support for landlords who exploit tenants and to increase funding for the Rental Protection Fund. He also pledged to utilize federally-owned land for affordable housing in Montreal and increase the untaxed income threshold in Hamilton.
The campaign faced a challenge when U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs on auto imports, prompting Singh to redirect his efforts to Windsor, a key location in Canada’s auto sector. He promised to protect the industry from American companies removing equipment from factories that received public funding.
Despite facing struggles in public opinion polls, Singh remains committed to his campaign message of advocating for regular people and taking on corporate interests. He plans to ramp up his rally efforts in the coming weeks, with a focus on affordability and protecting workers from the impacts of tariffs.
The NDP campaign will continue with events in Ottawa and British Columbia over the weekend, as Singh continues to make his case for a government that prioritizes the needs of everyday Canadians.
