Ottawa Metro: ACORN rallies for fair renter’s rights

Around 20 protestors rallied outside the Timbercreek Communities rental office on Cedarwood Dr. to demand fairness for Ottawa tenants on Wednesday.

 

The protestors demanded that rental buildings be free of pests, with working utilities and they want bylaws passed that hold landlords accountable to maximum wait times on repairs. ACORN (Association of Community Organization for Reform Now) Canada, a national organization that stands for social and economic justice for low and middle-income families, organized the rally.

 

“I am a big believer in this organization,” said George Brown, a lawyer and the federal NDP candidate for Ottawa South. “They understand power.”

 

Mavis Finnamore, chair of ACORN’s South Ottawa chapter, spoke at the rally and said renters are powerless in this city.

 

“What can we do?” said Finnamore. “We can complain, we can tell people not to move in here, but what we really need is laws that will force people to maintain their property properly.”

 

According to Finnamore, Timbercreek refused to fix a pathway leading from her home in Heron Gate until they went to two tribunals. Finnamore said that her mother was injured falling on the path, hurting her ribs and elbow and had to spend a summer in rehabilitation. Timbercreek is now required to fix the path by June 30.

 

Metro attempted to reach Timbercreek, but the company did not respond by press time.

 

Brown also spoke at the protest. He supervises law students that help renters bring complaints to the Landlord and Tenant Board. He argues the length of time it takes landlords to deal with tenant complaints is unfair, especially when the complaints have to go to the board.

 

“It takes a lot of work, especially for the tenant,” said Brown. “They are the ones who have to take time off of work.”

 

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Article by Nicholas Hodge for Metro