MOTION UNDER RULE 5(5)

THE SPEAKER: The honourable member for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island.

FIXED-TERM LEASES: ABUSE - END

LISA LACHANCE: Thank you very much, Speaker. I actually will just quickly start off with some context behind this, because the Late Debate Motion actually reads:

Whereas renters at The Scotian building in Halifax spent more than two weeks in the dark without power, too afraid to go to the Residential Tenancies Board for help because they knew their landlord could retaliate by not renewing their fixed-term leases; and

THE SPEAKER: Before I recognize the honourable member, there is a member on the left side of this room who has a phone that keeps dinging. Can you please turn off your ringer? It has been constant.

You're all looking at me like I know who it is. I don't know who it is. Check your phones and turn off your ringer. Thank you.

HON. BECKY DRUHAN: We acknowledge the tragic circumstances that have led to this discussion in this House. We have had many conversations about the need for change and the need for support to ensure that we have safe spaces and that the tragedies that have occurred previously are prevented from happening again.

This is currently a new bill on the floor of the House, which I generally expect is subject to debate and not Question Period, but we take this issue very seriously, and we look forward to having further conversations about it.

THE SPEAKER: Before we move on, I understand that there were some members in the audience who were recording the honourable member for Cumberland North's Notice of Motion.

I ask that that get removed from your phone. You are not allowed to record in here. It's on YouTube, it's on TV, and you can get it from there. There is to be no picture taking, no recording of this session.

SUSAN LEBLANC: After repeated calls from frontline organizations yesterday this government finally offered some support to survivors of gender-based violence, and it is about time. Now survivors who are renters can remain in their homes without signing a new lease or facing skyrocketing rents. This is long overdue and familiar. The NDP suggested this move in the spring sitting, but back then the minister refused to budge.

Gender-based violence is an epidemic. Why did the government leave survivors waiting so long to make this life-saving change?