The Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus says he’s pleased to see Ottawa stepping in to better regulate the short-term accommodation industry.
Peter Emon says some measures released in the fall economic statement are a good start to address concerns being raised in many cottage country communities.
The statement says the government intends to deny tax deductions for expenses incurred to earn short-term rental income. The statement also announces $50 million, over three years, will be pledged to help municipalities enforce restrictions on short-term rentals.
“It’s a little unclear now, but it sounds like they have made some moves to help municipalities with the problems,” Emon says.
Madawaska Valley council recently passed a motion to ask the province to create a registry program for short-term rentals; a move Emon supports.
The proposed registry would allow cottages that are flagged, for issues such as noise complaints or fire safety issues, to be removed.
The federal Housing Minister has also said the government wants to leverage the wide availability of short-term rentals to address Canada’s housing shortage.