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By Alex McCuaig

Ban expired in April

NDP calls on UCP government to extend eviction moratorium, cites local MLA as one reason why

May 19, 2020 | 4:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Alberta opposition NDP is calling on the UCP government to extend eviction protections for renters financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the actions of Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes as one of the reasons.

In a release issued Tuesday by the NDP Caucus, they say Barnes refused a proposed payment plan from a renter and instead issued an eviction notice.

Barnes did not reply for requests for comment while the renter was not identified in the release.

In late-March, the UCP government issued a ban on most evictions due to non-payment of rent for the month of April. The ban expired this month.

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Lethbridge-West NDP MLA and finance critic Shannon Phillips says an extension of the eviction ban for renters in financial trouble due to the pandemic is warranted.

“There was no question when the UCP brought in this legislation that it was enormously unclear about what happens after April,” said Phillips. “We’re now into mid-May and they haven’t provided that clarity. They need to do that for landlords and for renters because renters need to know they have the ability to enter into a payment plan and they won’t lose their homes during a pandemic.”

Phillips said the expectations that landlords do the right thing falls short, “because even UCP MLAs won’t do the right thing.”