WIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCIH 27, 1985, PAGE 3 Ashe says it's a practical reality.... New rent ceiling is an election 'goodie', opponents say His opponents says its nothing more than an election 'goodie' but Durham West MPP George Ashe maintains that the provincial government's decision to reduce the rent con- trol ceiling to four per cent is nothing more than a practical reality. Ashe said that the government's action, announced last week by an obviously em- barassed and uncomfor- table Consumer Minister Gordon Walker, was in response to the recommendation made by the Thom Royal Commission set up by former Premier Bill Davis to investigate the state of rental housing in Ontario. "He suggested that it be tied into the rate of inflation," the Progressive Conser- vative front bencher said, * "But that sometimes fuels in- flation." Ashe, who also serves as Minister of Energy in the cabinet of Premier Frank Miller, noted that the four per cent ceiling is just a little over in- flation. However, like Miller and Walker, Ashe doesn't believe in rent controls. "Philosophically, he (Walker) - doesn't ap- preciate rent controls any more than I do," Ashe said, "ßut our per- sonal feelings have to be put aside to recognize the collective gover- nment attitude and the needs of the market- place." As do many developers and builders, Ashe believes that rent controls have effectively stymied the construction of new ren- tal accommodation in Ontario. The incumbent MPP says that a non-rent con- trol building cannot compete effectively with rent control ac- commodation, making it difficult for the builder to make a return on his investment. "You couldn't put a reasonably priced building in Pickering, Ajax or Whitby that you could get your money out of without some kind of government assistan- ce," Ashe maintains adding a builder "can't price himself to recoup his investment." However, NDP can- didate Don Stewart and Liberal standardbearer Brian Evans have dif- ferent thoughts. "This is a blatant abandonment of prin- ciples - its nothing more than an election ploy," Stewart says adding, "There's no such thing as rent control, there's only rent review." The NDP candidate says that neither the four nor the previous six per cent ceiling means all that much. He notes that in 1982, rent in- creases averaged as high as 18 per cent after landlords appealled to the Residential Tenancy Commission. "I don't think their hearts are in it," Stewart said of the government, "This could be the beginning of the dismantling of the rent review machinery." Stewart noted that while Walker's announ- cement included provision for the establishment of a rent review registry, no timetable or formula for its implementation was announced. "There's no formula, this is a one year, one time only election goodie," he said. The NDP, he said, would establish the rent registry immediately and bring buildings built after 1976 under rent control. Currently, buildings built since that date are not subject to control. Stewart also main- tains that affordable rental accommodation is one of his party's priorities and notes that many landlords are taking rental apartmen- ts and turning them into condominiums to escape rent control. Liberal candidate Brian Evans also ac- cused the government of failing to meet a com- mittment it made in 1977 to ensure the construc- tion of 90,000 new residential units a year for 10 years. Evans says that only 38,508 units were built in 1982, 33,061 in 1983 "and 1984 is expected to be even lower." He was also highly critical of the gover- nment. "Both Walker and Miller have gone on record as saying they're philosophically opposed to rent control and 60 per cent of the delegates at the leadership con- vention were opposed to control," Evans said. "I would urge tenants to vote for a party that believes in rent controls and understands their problems and not for a party that supports them because they have topolitically." Evans also said that the new rent control legislation should have "strigent and aggressively enforced" punishment provisions for landlords who violate the regulations. The Liberals would also demand a full disclosure of ownership on all apartment buildings and im- plement a standard lease form that clearly defines the respon- sibilities and rights of both the landlord and the tenant. CONT'D ON PG. 6 Lioness Club gives foundation $500 Jeanne Robb (left) of the Whitby Lioness Club is seen here presenting a cheque for $500 to Marie Brooks (right), vice-chairman of the Durham Region branch of the Kidney Foundation. The donation was a kick-off to the club's planned blitze of the Otter Creek area this Saturday to raise additional funds for the foundation which they adopted as one of their special projects after one of their members developed kidney disease a few years ago. Some 10 members of the Lioness Club will be canvassing door-to-door beginning at 10 a.m. in the hopes of raising more than last year's $1,000. This will be the third year the club has raised money for the foun- dation. Robb, the co-ordinator of the blitze, says that lack of manpower prevents the club from doing the project on a town-wide basis. Free Press Staff Photo Visit The Holland Building Centre's OUTDOOR SHOW in front of Eaton's at the OSHAWA CENTRE Call and build it better at: buildiNG CENTRE 1277 Wilson Rd. N.. Mon Wed8a m e6P 725.4709 W :Z Saturdaysam Announcing NEW MANAGER H venrv Btda/iis plased 1) Iann<ufle WAYNE BOLTON is ihe new manager of ii ' Whithy store. Wayne' e( perience iill het ani asse to bett'rserv s ve Henrs Whlity cusio»ers. 59 BUYONE FO 49E L B LE FRE *OUR NEW SCARBOROUGH ADDRESS* BETWEEN ELLESMERE AND LAWRENCE BLVD. (NA ARS N THROK TELSTTION 140 NE SMCE S. S. 1313H ADRDAE.N 579-1655 1 686-0719