Toronto ACORN and allies push for strong anti-renovictions bylaw

Toronto – On June 13th, Toronto ACORN hosted a press conference with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA), the Don Valley Community Legal Clinic (DVCLC), and Ward 14 Councillor Paula Fletcher to urge the Planning & Housing Committee to pass a motion compelling City staff to draft a strong, Hamilton-style anti-renoviction bylaw.

Renovictions describe the practice used by landlords to evict or force out tenants, under the guise of major renovation, with a goal to displace low- and moderate-income tenants who are paying below market rent. Ontario saw a 300% increase in N-13 applications, which are eviction applications related to renovations and demolitions, between 2017 and 2021. Toronto tops the chart!

“We need the City of Toronto to do what tenants are asking for and create a real anti-renovictions bylaw with teeth, and timelines for implementation,” said Marcia Stone, chair of Weston ACORN. “We can’t be waiting another five years!”

Enough is enough. It’s time for the city to act. ACORN and allies are pushing for an anti-renoviction bylaw that includes:

• A licensing requirement for landlords to undertake renovations;
• A duty to accommodate displaced tenants with temporary alternative accommodations or a rental top-up during renovations;
• A requirement for the landlord to pay for any moving costs incurred by tenants;
• Stringent notice requirements for landlords, to ensure tenants are aware of their rights under the anti-renoviction bylaw;
• A requirement to provide a Disruption Mitigation Plan for other tenants affected by renovations; and
• A significant increase in fines for landlords who do not comply with the bylaw – over and above the potential profits the landlord would gain from renovicting a tenant.

While we’re pleased that the motion was adopted by the Planning & Housing Committee, the fight’s not over. The motion, PH13.7, goes to Toronto City Council this week. ACORN and allies urge Councillors to adopt this sorely-needed measure!

Help us put pressure on City Council by writing to your Councillor to urge them to vote in favour! You can use our template letter here.