Ontario ACORN Virtual Town Hall + Action to fight back Bill 23

ACORN members continue to fight back the Ontario Housing Bill 23. The Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 got passed in the Ontario legislature amidst a lot of opposition from housing rights groups, environment groups and NDP MPPs. However, the Ontario government rammed through the legislature to pass the Bill which will build luxury condos on wetlands & farmland, destroy affordable housing policies, erode tenant protections and bankrupt municipal governments to line the pockets of developers. At the same time, it puts more money in the hands of wealthy developers.

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ACORN did a virtual townhall action which saw participation of more than 160 ACORN members and allies, including city councillors and NDP MPPs. ACORN leaders – Marnie Schurter (from Hamilton); Ria Rinne, Alex and Nina (from Toronto); Edward Roue (from Ottawa); Tanya Burkart (from Peel); and Nawton Chiles (from London) – did an amazing job of running the townhall.

Members joined from across the province including Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Toronto and Peel among other cities.

Big thanks to our guest speakers – Joel Harden, NDP MPP, Ottawa Centre; Sarah Jama, Hamilton Centre NDP Candidate; Councillor Alejandra Bravo, Ward 9 – Davenport; Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 14- Toronto-Danforth; Councillor Alvin Tedjo, Ward 2, Mississauga ; Councillor Alex Wilson, Ward 13 Hamilton; and Councillor David Ferreira, Ward 13, London.

The NDP MPP and city councillors spoke about the power of fighting back as a collective and appreciated ACORN for persistently highlighting the issues with Bill 23.

ACORN members went over how to make submissions for the two ongoing consultations – Municipal Rental Replacement bylaws and Inclusionary Zoning.

Not only does Bill 23 severely restricts the power of cities to build new affordable housing using inclusionary zoning as a tool but it also takes away protections cities like Toronto and Mississauga have to protect existing affordable housing by way of rental replacement bylaws.

ACORN members will keep the pressure on. Stay tuned for what’s next!