EDMONTON - Edmonton MLAs are coming under growing pressure from both sides of the housing debate, with frantic tenants demanding rent controls and landlords mobilizing against them.
Some Conservatives, including Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA Thomas Lukaszuk, favour short-term rent controls to help people facing steep increases.
"I personally have no issue with rent controls," Lukaszuk said. "Housing is something that every one of us needs, and renting is a reality for a large portion of Albertans. It has to be affordable."
Lukaszuk said it's an imperfect solution to a difficult problem. Other Tories agree, but don't support rent controls, which they say would stifle new construction.
"The free market enterprise system is designed to police itself. And supply and demand always have to be balanced in order for us to succeed, and I think you'll see that balance starting to develop now," said Edmonton Mill Creek MLA Gene Zwozdesky.
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