Alberta passes housing bill without rent controls

Alberta legislators passed a controversial housing billThursday morningafter 14 hours of debate by opposition MLAs who failed in their bid to get the government to adopt a form of rent control.

Under the new act, landlords will be allowed to increase rents only once a year instead of twice.Those wanting to evict a tenant in order to make major renovations or convert an apartmentto a condominium will have to give at least a year's notice and won't be allowed to increase the rent during that time.

However, theLiberals and New Democrats failed to getthe Tories toaccepta cap on rent increases.

Treasury Board president Lloyd Snelgrove said the longdebate was worthwhile, even though the opposition parties didn't stand much of a chance of being successful.

"They are sticking up for what they think is the right solution," he said. "We're defending what we believe is the right solution. I think probably 14 hours straight was a little bit overdoingthe position that I don't think we were going to change a great deal."

Many MLAs said such curbs would stifle the construction of new apartments and be an intrusion in the marketplace.

ButLiberal Leader Kevin Taft maintained rent controls are needed urgently.

"The fact of the matter is people are getting $500 and $800 and $1,000 rent increases now. And there's great fear out there now, there's great urgency now, and that's why this bill went all night."

The provincial government has recently opened centres in Calgary and Edmonton to deal with concerns about rent increases.

Staff will answer questions about emergency housing, rent subsidies and other government programs.

In recent weeks, MLAs have been inundated with complaints about rent hikes.