Toronto ACORN takes action for national rent control!

Toronto, ON— On Wednesday, September 10, Toronto ACORN organized three different protests across the city at the offices of Liberal Members of Parliament, demanding real tenant protections and national rent control! With Doug Ford failing to tackle the spiralling cost of rent, ACORN’s demanding that the federal government leverage their “power of the purse” and mandate provinces who accept federal funding implement real rent control, including vacancy control and a ban on above-guideline rent increases!

First up at 11AM, members from our East York, Downtown, and Scarborough chapters met up at Queen Street and Carlaw Avenue for a lively march down to Toronto—Danforth MP and Minister of Climate Change & the Environment Julie Dabrusin’s office, with chants led by ACORN leaders Alejandra and Stacey. Though Minister Dabrusin was not in office, her office manager, William, came out to greet us, telling the group that  “this is what democracy looks like.” He shared his personal support of our cause, as he himself is a renter, and although he could not speak on behalf of the Minister, he assured us that rent control is an policy she believes in. With that in mind, we got the manager’s contact information with the intention of setting up a meeting as soon as possible!

Next, on the other side of Toronto, our York West and Weston chapters turned out to Humber River—Black Creek MP Judy Sgro’s office at 12PM to deliver ACORN’s demands. When we buzzed the office, the MP’s staff told us to leave the letter in the mailbox. But we weren’t gonna settle for that! The rent is too damn high! So we requested a signed copy acknowledging receipt of the letter, and her office manager, Amy, came out and obliged. Another letter delivery successful!

The final letter delivery of the day was at 2PM, when our Rexdale chapter arrived outside the office of freshman Etobicoke North MP and Secretary of State for Labour, John Zerucelli. Outside, we highlighted the struggles tenants face in Rexdale and across the country when rents are going up, wages stagnate, and we’re being squeezed out of our communities! We then marched on into his office, introduced ourselves and ACORN to his staff, and delivered our letter, which was accepted and a signed copy returned to us.

So what now? While ACORN will be following up with these MPs, we also won’t just be sitting around twiddling our thumbs—we’re still taking action! ACORN members across Canada have written hundreds of emails to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Members of Parliament demanding national rent control and real protections for affordable housing. Haven’t sent one yet? Click here to send an email!

Live in Toronto and want to fight for social and economic justice in your community? Contact the local ACORN office at (416) 461-9233 or [email protected].