Rent Hikes & Real Talk: Is Jason Nixon Listening to Alberta's Renters?
People are talking about a major rent increase in Edmonton that's sparking debates here in Calgary. With one building seeing a $1,500 jump, folks are wondering if rent control is the answer. What's your take?
By The Numbers: Alberta's Rent Reality Check
While our city grapples with its own affordability crunch, unsettling reports from up the Deerfoot paint a stark picture of what happens when the rental market is left unchecked. Imagine seeing your monthly housing cost jump by nearly 75%, as one Edmonton senior did in early 2023, with their rent soaring from $870 to $1,500 a month. Alberta's Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service even labeled it an “economic eviction.” Or consider tenants in a historic Edmonton apartment building who faced rent increases of nearly 200 percent, with one resident's rent rising from $895 to a staggering $2,695 per month in early 2025.
These aren't isolated incidents. Across Alberta, average listed rent prices climbed by a painful 17.5% year-over-year to an average of $1,787 as of May 2024. For our neighbours in Edmonton, one-bedroom apartment rents alone jumped by 16% year-over-year to an average of $1,389 by August 2024. This relentless upward trajectory impacts everyone, from students near the University of Calgary to families in Ward 11, making every lease renewal a moment of anxiety. The simple truth? Alberta currently has no form of rent control legislation, and the provincial government has made it clear it has no plans to introduce it.
Who Pays When Rents Skyrocket?
The question on many Calgarians' minds, especially when faced with daunting rent increases, is who truly understands this struggle? Jason Nixon, a Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, currently serves as Alberta's Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services. He was first elected in 2015 and re-elected with the United Conservative Party (UCP) in 2019 and 2023. While his government argues against rent control, citing potential negative impacts on housing construction, reports from late 2025 indicate Minister Nixon, in his capacity as an MLA and cabinet minister, received approximately $301,000 in total remuneration, including salary, benefits, and reimbursements. For many Calgarians barely making ends meet, the contrast between that income and the struggle to afford basic housing feels like a chasm.
The Opposition's Play: Capping the Pain?
Not everyone agrees with the hands-off approach. Alberta NDP Housing Critic Janis Irwin introduced Bill 205, the Housing Statutes (Housing Security) Amendment Act, proposing a temporary four-year rent cap: two per cent for the first two years, then tied to inflation for the subsequent two. Irwin stated, "We are truly hearing from renters who are experiencing 20-, 30-, 50-per-cent increases. Rent caps are designed to provide relief from skyrocketing, unaffordable rent increases that could drive people into homelessness or unsafe situations, or force them to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent." For Calgary renters facing impossible choices between groceries and rent, this proposal offers a glimpse of potential stability.
The Verdict for Your Wallet
So, what's the bottom line for your budget? As it stands, Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act dictates that landlords can increase rent once every 12 months, provided they give specific notice periods, typically three months for monthly periodic tenancies. Beyond that, there's no legal limit on how much your rent can climb. The "economic eviction" of that senior in Edmonton serves as a chilling precedent, highlighting the vulnerability of renters in our current system. Without policy shifts, Calgarians remain exposed to the whims of a rapidly escalating market, leaving many to wonder how long they can truly afford to call this city home. The debate rages on, but for everyday Calgarians trying to stay in their homes, the stakes couldn't be higher.
