NDP motion reveals potential price-fixing behind high rent prices

OTTAWA — The NDP’s Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody - Coquitlam) will move a motion on Thursday to force giant corporate landlords to come testify in Ottawa about whether they are price-fixing—using the same artificial intelligence (AI) software to manipulate rent prices on which the United States is taking legal action.

“Canadians are working hard but still struggling to keep up. One of the main reasons is that their rent will not stop increasing,” said Zarrillo. “At the same time, the Liberals have let rich corporate landlords make massive profits off people while they mistreat their tenants. It’s horrible, and to make matters worse, Canada’s largest corporate landlords may be using illegal price-fixing practices to jack up rent. Something needs to be done to stop it.”

Recently, Dream Unlimited, one of Canada’s largest corporate landlords, admitted to using AI software that the U.S. government has alleged allows landlords to coordinate rent increases. This software is commonly used in Canada.

“The Liberals have let these corporate landlords run amuck and do whatever they’d like regardless of the impacts on Canadians. And the Conservatives want to help these CEOs with billions in handouts. Only New Democrats are standing up to protect tenants from rent gouging,” added Zarrillo. “We’re calling for these greedy corporate landlords to come answer to Canadians. We’re urging the Liberals and Conservatives to stop being so beholden to CEOs and support this call. It’s the very least they can do after leaving people to struggle, all to prop up their CEO buddies.”