Just when major developers and pension funds are looking at getting back into the apartment business the ugly head of socialism rises again with more rent control threats once again retroactive.  Other articles today say more new stock needs to be built.  Apartments as a commercial real estate venture is probably the most lucrative investment there is but smart money stays clear of this legislative nightmare.  You cannot legislate commercial investors to provide social housing.  Last month there were articles criticizing Loblaw’s, Metro and Sobeys for closing stores in lower income, high rent areas of the downtown Toronto where their business plan did not make sense and the stores were losing money.  Social activists decried that there was nowhere to get fresh produce in some neighbourhoods and store chains should be forced to stay open as a public service.  Same thing applies to rental housing.  If there is marginal profit with the threat of legislative interference why bother.