Pen: ACORN’s Fight for a Renoviction Bylaw

My name is Debbie Staples. I am a member of Ottawa ACORN, having joined ACORN in 2024 to fight renoviction​s in my building. The eviction was stopped because of our organizing. Since then, I have been an active leader in ACORN’s campaign for a ​Renoviction ​Bylaw because the fight isn’t over until all tenants are protected.

Ottawa ACORN, a community group fighting for tenants since 2006, focuses on affordable housing and tenant protections. As the housing crisis worsens and the government prioritizes developers’ interests over tenants, it’s more important than ever to organize and fight as a unified voice. We remain independent of governmental and corporate interests, driven and funded by our members. A prime example of the power of organizing is our recent victory in pushing for a renoviction bylaw, marking a significant step forward in the battle against mass displacement in Ottawa.

The Growing Threat of Renovictions

Renovictions—where landlords evict tenants under the guise of ‘major renovations’ to raise rents—have become a growing issue in Ottawa. This practice has displaced hundreds of low-income families and destroyed affordable units, which in turn has put many people at risk of homelessness. Since June 2024, ACORN has been aware of over 350 tenants across 13 buildings in Centretown, Sandy Hill, Carlington, Vanier, Overbrook, and Brittania. For the past decade, Ottawa ACORN has been advocating for anti-displacement policies while organizing in buildings to defend tenants. This work led to multiple motions starting in April 2024, championed by Councillor Ariel Troster, which could reshape tenant protections in Ottawa.

ACORN Votes for a Plan of Action

In June 2023, ACORN’s Tenant Rights Council met to discuss housing priorities. Over 100 members participated, and after discussing the most pressing tenant concerns, the group voted to prioritize the fight for a renoviction bylaw. This vote set the stage for the campaign, culminating in a major public rally the following week.

At the rally, ACORN launched our Housing Justice Priority in Ottawa, advocating for a renoviction bylaw like those won in Hamilton and Toronto. Key elements of a renoviction bylaw include:

Landlords must apply for a renovation license within seven days of issuing an N13 notice.

The application must include building permits and a report from a qualified engineer confirming the need for vacant possession.

Landlords must offer temporary accommodations or a rent top-up equal to the difference.

Tenants must be provided with moving costs.

Non-compliant landlords will face escalating fines.

The Road to City Hall

As the campaign grew, so did its support. The public pressure continued to build as ACORN members organized rallies and meetings with city officials, and members facing renovictions shared personal stories about the devastating effects.

By February 2024, ACORN members gathered outside city hall to release Ontario ACORN’s new renovictions report that analyses over 22,000 N12 and N13 eviction notices across Ontario from 2017-2022. Our report found a 545% increase in the number of N13s filed in Ottawa between 2017 and 2022.

In April 2024, we worked with Councillor Ariel Troster to introduce a motion to study the feasibility of a renoviction bylaw in Ottawa.

On April 23rd, 2024, the day before the vote, ACORN rallied outside city hall to launch the “Roadmap to Save Affordable Housing” platform, urging the Housing and Planning Committee to support the motion. At the committee meeting, many of our members and allies delivered passionate deputations, detailing the urgent need for a renoviction bylaw. The committee listened—and the motion was passed unanimously. The following week, the motion passed at council.

The campaign for a renoviction bylaw gained significant traction while city staff were studying its feasibility. In September 2024, over 70 ACORN members rallied outside City Hall, demanding immediate action. Several tenants facing renovictions spoke about their personal experiences and the determination not to be pushed out of their homes.

On November 22nd, 2024, we delivered a binder of testimonies from ACORN members who have past experiences of renovictions on top members currently facing threat of renoviction to the Mayor’s office after months of refusing to meet with ACORN.

In December and January, members hung banners reading ‘STOP RENOVICTIONS’ and ‘SAVE OUR HOMES’ from 417 highway overpasses, ensuring Ottawa stayed focused on the issue in the lead-up to the crucial vote in late January 2025.

In addition to mounting public pressure, ACORN members and tenants from across the city were actively reaching out to their city councillors through calls and emails, urging them to support the implementation of a renoviction bylaw in Ottawa.

Victory and the Fight Ahead

On January 15, 2025, ACORN reached a pivotal moment in the campaign during the Housing and Planning Committee meeting. After years of organizing, rallies, and direct action, ACORN members successfully pressured the committee to vote in favor of advancing the renoviction bylaw. Twelve ACORN members shared powerful personal stories, making a compelling case for tenant protections.

On January 22, 2025, Ottawa City Council voted overwhelmingly (19-6) to move forward with drafting the bylaw, a historic victory for tenants in Ottawa. However, the fight is not over. City staff won’t present a final proposal until another year, and tenants remain vulnerable in the meantime.

Our collective efforts have led to significant progress, but we won’t stop until the renoviction bylaw is fully passed. This victory proves that when we stand together, we can make real change. As we push for faster action and stronger protections, we remain united in our fight, confident that our efforts will continue to shape Ottawa into a city where renters are safe and secure in their homes.

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Article by Debbie Staples for Pen