HALIFAX - The federal government has put a cap on rent increases for newer serving members at Department of National Defence housing units across Canada.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay says a rent increase limit of 2.21 per cent for the 2013-14 fiscal year has been set for some privates and officer cadets effective April 1.
MacKay says rent will also not increase at the 4 Wing Cold Lake military housing units in Alberta, which was set to swell by about nine per cent next year — about $92 a month.
MacKay says the cap attempts to provide parity for members in lower earning brackets who often seek housing outside the military because it's more affordable.
A news release says monthly rent for privates has increased 27 per cent over the past 10 years, while officer cadets saw a similar increase at 25 per cent.
There are more than 12,500 military housing units in 28 locations across Canada.
