Federal government promising a 'renters' bill of rights' in upcoming budget

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government will introduce new measures — including a new «bill of rights» — that he says will help protect those who rent their homes as part of the upcoming budget.

Trudeau said the new measures are specifically geared toward younger people, who are renting more than previous generations.

«It's about changing the rules of the game in a way that meets young people where they are,» he said on Wednesday.

Ottawa will work with provinces and territories to develop a «renters' bill of rights» that would introduce a national standard lease agreement and implement requirements for landlords to disclose an apartment's pricing history to allow tenants to negotiate their rent.

The new measures will also include a $15-million fund for provincial legal aid organizations that help tenants fight against «renovictions» and landlord abuse.

The Liberals are also proposing to change federal rules so that making rental payments on time will count toward someone's credit scores, something Trudeau said is meant to help renters looking to one day buy a house.

«If you look at someone who pays a $2,000 [per month] mortgage, they're getting recognition and credit for that from their bank as part of their credit score,» the prime minister said.

«But if you're paying $2,000 a month on rent, you get no kudos.»

Typically the government doesn't discuss what is in an annual budget until it is introduced in the House of Commons. But the announcement was made weeks prior to the release of the Liberals' next budget, which is slated to drop on April 16.

Releasing tidbits from the budget ahead of time is part of a new communications strategy for the Liberals, sources told CBC News. Trudeau and his ministers are