Tenant Advocates Demand Premier Ford's Government Scrap Controversial Housing Bill

Strategic Insights -

Tenant advocates in Hamilton are urging Premier Doug Ford's government to scrap its "housing horror show" by scrapping proposals in an omnibus bill they say will fast track evictions and hamper renters' ability to resist them. The bill, introduced as the "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act," aims to expedite residential development and address transportation infrastructure, but critics argue it will further disadvantage already struggling renters. Amidst growing backlash, the government has walked back a plan to explore changes to Ontario's "security of tenure" provision, but advocates remain skeptical.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed legislation, Bill 60, would expedite residential development and address transportation infrastructure, but critics argue it would fast track evictions and hamper renters' ability to resist them.
  • The government has walked back a plan to explore changes to Ontario's "security of tenure" provision, which would allow renters to stay in apartments after an initial lease expires and continue to rent month-to-month under the same terms.
  • Critics have raised alarm that the change would set tenants up for automatic evictions, lead to rate hikes, and send more people to the streets during a homelessness crisis.
  • The Ford government has previously axed caps for newer units initially occupied after Nov. 15, 2018, which means landlords can raise rents beyond the annual limits in those cases.
  • The demonstrators also raised concerns with other Bill 60 proposals meant to expedite cases before the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), including limiting tenants' ability to raise new issues during eviction hearings, reducing the time they have to deal with arrears to avoid evictions, and tightening the period tenants have to request reviews of LTB decisions.
  • The Hamilton and District Apartment Association welcomes the proposed reforms, saying they are "long-overdue, common-sense updates to restore balance, reduce delays, and protect the long-term sustainability of Ontario's rental housing sector."
  • The LTB still faces delays of five-to-seven months in many cases, hurting both landlords and tenants.

Statistics:

  • 2.1%: The annually set provincial rent guideline in 2026.
  • 2018: The year after which landlords can raise rents beyond the annual limits in newer units.
  • 5-7 months: The average delay in cases before the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) in many cases.

Sources:

  • "Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act" (Bill 60): The proposed legislation introduced by the Ford government to expedite residential development and address transportation infrastructure.
  • Rob Flack, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister: "Residents expect stability and predictability in Ontario's rental market, and now is not the time to consider changes to this system."
  • Hamilton ACORN: A community organization that rallied against the proposed legislation and its potential impact on tenants.
  • Daniel P. Chin, President of the Hamilton and District Apartment Association: "Faster, accountable processes mean quicker certainty for everyone."
  • The Hamilton Community Foundation: A organization that supports journalism to advance public awareness and funded Teviah Moro's housing and homelessness reporting.