23,000 Ontarians Tell Ford: Hands Off Rent Control — ACORN Vows to Keep Organizing With Still So Much at Stake

On October 23rd, Premier Doug Ford announced a new set of proposed changes to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) that would strip away key tenant protections, fast-track evictions, and open the door to ending rent control as we know it.

The most dangerous part of Ford’s plan was a proposal to introduce fixed-term leases — a system ACORN members have been fighting in other provinces like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta. Under fixed-term leases, tenancies automatically end after the set term, rather than continuing month-to-month like they do now. This would allow landlords to refuse renewals or raise rents by any amount they want — effectively a backdoor to end rent control in Ontario.

On the day of the announcement, ACORN members were already at Queen’s Park rallying for stronger rent control and higher social assistance rates. When news broke, hundreds of tenants from ACORN & other tenant groups marched to Whitney Block — where Ford’s government was announcing Bill 60: The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act.

That same day, ACORN launched an online action calling on the Ford government to drop its dangerous proposals. In just a few days, 23,000 Ontarians sent emails to Premier Ford, Housing Minister Rob Flack, Attorney General Doug Downey, and MPPs across the province demanding they keep their hands off rent control.

Ford Government Backs Down — For Now

After days of public outrage from ACORN & allies, the Housing Minister tweeted that “now is not the time” to proceed with consultations on fixed-term leases.

ACORN welcomes this as a major win for tenants, showcasing the strength of the tenant movement in Ontario — but we’re not fooled. “Now is not the time” doesn’t mean “never.” There’s nothing stopping the government from trying again, and Bill 60 still contains many dangerous proposals that make it easier for landlords to evict tenants and harder for tenants to defend themselves.

Tenants Are Demanding Real Protections

Ontario ACORN is calling on the Ford government to:

• Commit to never bringing in fixed-term leases
• Close existing rent control loopholes — end the rent control exemption for post-2018 buildings and ban Above Guideline Increases (AGIs)
• Strengthen rent control through vacancy control
• Withdraw the harmful eviction measures in Bill 60that fast-track evictions and limit tenants’ ability to defend themselves at the LTB
• While the government claims it wants a “balanced” approach to the LTB with “common sense” solutions, it doesn’t name a single measure that would improve tenants’ access to justice (only landlords). If the government truly wants a “balanced” approach, it should start by restoring in-person hearing and reducing tenant wait times (currently 2–3 times longer than landlord applications)

What’s Still in Bill 60

Despite the pause on fixed-term leases, Ford’s Bill 60 still includes measures that will:

• Prevent tenants from raising new issues — like disrepair or harassment — in non-payment of rent cases the day of their hearing
• Make it harder for tenants to challenge N11 “voluntary” evictions, often signed under pressure during renovictions
• Cut the time to appeal unfair eviction decisions from 30 days to 15 days
• Fast tracking evictions for late payment 
• Remove compensation for tenants evicted for landlord’s own use if given 4 months notice
• Cut tenant eviction notice periods in half — from 14 days to 7 days
• Restrict tenants’ ability to postpone evictions, even in emergencies
• Hire more “enforcement officers” to remove tenants from their homes faster

These measures would devastate low- and moderate-income tenants already struggling to keep a roof over their heads. The solution to the housing crisis is NOT to increase eviction rates. 

ACORN’s Message: People Power Works — We Need to Keep it Going!

We’ve proven that tenant power can make governments back down — and we’re not stopping until rent control is strengthened so it can never be taken away again.                         

ACORN members across Ontario are keeping up the momentum with:

• An emergency organizing meeting with 500+ participants that took place on Tuesday, October 28th online
• Halloween actions in 6 cities across the province to say loud and clear: Hands Off Rent Control – Not Now, Not Ever!
• Mass flyering across Ontario to educate the public and motivate them to take action. CLICK HERE to download and print flyers to hand out in your building or around your block.
• Ongoing work with allies to fight for stronger rent control and real tenant protections

In Solidarity,

Alejandra Ruiz-Vargas

ACORN Canada President

For more information contact Ontario ACORN at [email protected]