ACORN takes action to scrap the Ontario Housing Bill 23!

Last week, Doug Ford government introduced Bill 23 – More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 – in Ontario. The Bill will be devastating for tenants already in desperate need of support. For more information, click here.

You can still do your part by sending a quick letter to Premier Doug Ford and Housing Minister Steve Clark. Join ACORN’s online action.

As the Ontario government rushes to pass this deeply problematic Bill, ACORN members and allies across different cities got together to tell the government to scrap Bill 23. Here is a quick snapshot of the actions members did.

Toronto

ACORN members held a press conference outside Queens Park. Great allies came out from PPE and Justice for Queen and Close. Political allies also attended including City Councillor Paula Fletcher and MPPs Jessica Bell, Kristen Wong-Tam and Chris Glover. After the press conference, members went into the question period at the legislature to watch the ONDP debate Ford with his attack on working education workers and the developer taker over of Ontario that is going to destroy the only affordable housing left in the province.

Hamilton

Hamilton ACORN members met outside the Conservative East Hamilton-Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden’s office. Around 40 ACORN members, allies and supporters attended. The action was led by Stoney Creek chair Liz Scott, new Stoney Creek member Niresha Falls and Mountain co-chair Marnie Schurter. Members spoke about how Bill 23 will be devastating for Hamilton tenants and restrict the city’s action to tackle the housing and climate crisis. Ally speakers included Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, Social Planning Research Council of Hamilton, Environment Hamilton and Stop Sprawl. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation of Hamilton-Wentworth also joined in support. At the end of the action members tried to enter the MPP’s office but the door was locked. ACORN’s demand letter was taped to the door.

Ottawa

Approximately 30 Ottawa ACORN members rallied outside of MPP Lisa MacLeod’s office. The rally was led by leaders Bader Abu-Zahra and Norma-Jean Quibell with speeches from Vanier member, Lydia Carson-Hobbs, and Manor Village member, Alison Trowbridge, who are both facing renoviction/demoviction and whose rights will be trampled by Bill 23. We were also joined by Sam Hersh from Horizon Ottawa and received press coverage from CBC, the Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit and La Rotonde.

Police met members at the action having been called by MacLeod’s office. MacLeod’s staff told the Police that they’d send a representative down to meet with us. Then members were told that Lisa MacLeod called her staff from Queen’s Park and told them not to meet with our members and lock the doors!!! So, Norma and Alison marched into MacLeod’s office and taped the letter to the door and brought CBC along with them.

Brampton

Peel ACORN members Tanya Burkart and Aiden Janey delivered the letter to Prabmeet Sarkaria, MPP of Brampton South highlighting why Bill 23 hurts tenants.

London

In London, ACORN members petitioned at Victoria Park, very close to London city hall. ACORN leaders Betty Morrison, Claire Wittnebell and Jordan Smith spoke to people about Bill 23 to ensure we get more support to scrap the Bill.

ACORN members will continue to highlight the implications of the Bill on tenants. Members will be making deputations at the committee hearings coming up soon!