Tenants slam Alta.-based landlord, protest rent increases

Charlie Medd moved out of her 15-year-old Wolseley Avenue apartment last October, when rent increases at her Lincoln Apartments became a reality. The first annual payment of $205.00 + GST marked the beginning of a new chapter, with subsequent increases to $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks. Medd felt the changes were aimed at pushing out long-term renters, many of whom lived on fixed incomes.

Nearly a year after her departure, Medd joined dozens of protesters outside Premier Wab Kinew's constituency office, demanding Manitoba's Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) freeze rent increases for tenants to challenge them. Wingspan Properties, the Alberta-based landlord behind the eight Winnipeg apartment buildings in question, has been raising rents by up to 125%, with some increases set to take effect as early as November.

Tenant organizers argue that Wingspan's recent acquisition of 30 Winnipeg apartment buildings should have ignited an investigation into the legality of the proposed rent hikes. Under existing RTB policies, landlords can request permission to increase rents above the annual guideline of 1.8% for 2026 and 3% for 2027, but none of the affected buildings meet the exemptions for building age or rent thresholds.

The RTB's policy requires tenants to pay the rent sought by the landlord while an above-guideline application is being considered, leaving some renters facing months of significantly higher payments before they can challenge the increase. Tenant associations representing six of the eight buildings have asked the branch to freeze the disputed rent increases until tenants have a chance to appeal.