Hansard Transcripts
Hansard Transcripts are the official report of what was said in the House of Assembly.
Wednesday, October 2, 2025
Motion – FIXED-TERM LEASES: ABUSE – END
MLAs, Lisa Lachance, NDP, Ian Rankin, Liberal, Brian Wong, PC debate an NDP Motion to end the use of fixed term leases here is a short summary:
MLA Lisa Lachance (Halifax Citadel–Sable Island) raised concerns over renters at The Scotian building in Halifax, who endured more than two weeks without power but were too afraid to seek help through Residential Tenancies for fear of eviction under fixed-term leases. Lachance argued the case exposed systemic failures: tenants were dissuaded from filing complaints, some lost income and access to medical equipment, and landlords continued to collect rent despite unsafe conditions. She called for closing the fixed-term lease loophole, stronger rent control, and creation of an enforcement unit with real powers.
Liberal MLA Iain Rankin (Timberlea–Prospect) supported the motion, noting that fixed-term leases—originally intended for narrow uses—are now widely exploited to silence tenants and circumvent rent caps. He emphasized that protections are “paper thin” if tenants fear retaliation, and urged government to adopt an enforcement unit similar to B.C.’s model.
Government MLA Brian Wong (Waverley–Fall River–Beaver Bank) expressed empathy for The Scotian residents but defended the continued use of fixed-term leases, warning that eliminating them alongside rent caps could reduce housing supply. He highlighted provincial progress on housing supply—rising permits, starts, and vacancy rates—and argued that the real solution lies in building more homes, providing tenant education, and supporting Residential Tenancies outreach programs.
The debate underscores ongoing division: Opposition members pressing for closure of the fixed-term lease loophole and stronger enforcement, while government maintains its focus on supply growth and lease flexibility.
View full debate at: FIXED-TERM LEASES: ABUSE – END
Motion – Housing Crisis – Tenant Affordability – Protect
MLSs, Claudia Chender, NDP, Iain Rankin, Liberal, John White, PC, Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, IND, Susan Leblanc, NDP, Suzy Hansen, NDP Debate NS Housing Crisis, here is a short summary:
NDP Leader Claudia Chender (Dartmouth South) moved a resolution to debate the housing crisis, citing sharp rent increases (about $4,400/year more per renter since 2021), rising homelessness, and weak tenant protections. She argued the rent cap “doesn’t work” if landlords can reset rents via fixed-term leases, and called to tie rent controls to the unit (not the tenant), remove the financial incentive for fixed-term leases, create a Residential Tenancies enforcement unit, and expand affordable/non-market supply (including rent-to-own and shared equity).
Iain Rankin (Liberal, Timberlea–Prospect) supported the spirit of the motion, urging stronger tenant protections (including an enforcement unit) and more effective spending; he criticized Happipad’s cost and pressed for faster market and non-market supply with infrastructure and permitting reforms.
Government response (PCs) — John White (Glace Bay–Dominion) and colleagues defended a supply-first approach: extended rent cap to 2027, tighter “renoviction” rules, faster Residential Tenancies hearings (~<5 weeks), rent supplements, new public housing commitments, and planning/designation powers to accelerate builds. They argued an enforcement unit would add bureaucracy without expected “bite.”
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin (Independent, Cumberland North) described acute local need (including employed residents sleeping in cars) and urged restoring HARP eligibility.
Susan Leblanc (NDP, Dartmouth North) emphasized systemic drivers of homelessness and called to end the fixed-term lease loophole and tie rent caps to units so rent cannot be reset when tenants change.
Suzy Hansen (NDP, Halifax Needham) reported front-line caseloads showing the tenancies system isn’t meeting demand. She highlighted renters paying roughly $360 more per month, increasing homelessness, and unaffordable new supply. Hansen called for unit-based rent control, closing the fixed-term lease loophole, stronger RTA enforcement, expanded non-market housing, and practical paths to ownership (e.g., rent-to-own).
Takeaway: Opposition and Independent MLAs pressed for immediate tenant-protection measures (unit-based rent control, closing fixed-term incentives, and an enforcement unit) alongside new supply. Government emphasized accelerated building, existing RTA changes, rent supplements, and program expansions, and rejected an enforcement unit as ineffective.
View Full debate at: Housing Crisis – Tenant Affordability – Protect