Press Hits

Toronto is more than doubling its budget for free air conditioning following one of the hottest summers on record.

On Thursday, the city unveiled its 2026 operating budget, which includes a fare freeze and cap for public transportation. While the city’s 2.2 per cent tax increase for property owners was one of the most anticipated sections — much smaller than last year’s 9.5 per cent — many were also waiting to see what would come of the free AC unit program.

Halifax’s registry of rental properties is now available to the public online, showing what HRM staff believe are the “bulk” of rentals in the city.

Now, city staff say they are moving toward a “proactive” approach to enforcing building standards, where previously they only investigated if someone complained.

“I’m actually a little bit surprised that it’s come this far within two years,” said tenant advocate Heather Clark. “But it does need some tweaking, still.”

The number of available rental units in the London region is the highest it’s been in the last 15 years, with a 4 per cent vacancy rate according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) 2025 Rental Market Report.

“You’ve had quite significant increases in rental apartment construction in London in recent years,” said Anthony Passarelli, senior specialist-market insights with CMHC. “Some of those units have been completed and put on the market. So, you’ve had more supply hitting the market.”

“Building houses shouldn’t leave people homeless.” That’s the message an affordable housing group brought to Brampton City Council over a proposed apartment redevelopment where dozens of residents are facing eviction due to demolition. 507 Balmoral Dr. is a 1.36-hectare property in Brampton, which is currently home to a four-storey apartment building with about 55 units, many of which are occupied by seniors or residents with medical or mobility issues.

A frustrated Coun. David Ferreira expressed disappointment after a decision by the Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee not to support his motion directing staff to prepare a report about closing a loophole in London’s by-law to discourage so-called ‘renovictions.’

“It doesn’t make sense to me at all!” Ferreira said to CTV News following the meeting. “I think we need to stop this now. There are a ton of people out there that are at risk [and] that are already going through this process right now.”

A ‘renoviction’ is the unethical use of an N-13 Eviction Notice to evict a low-income tenant under the pretense of renovating their unit, when in fact, the landlord wants to use the vacancy to hike the rent for a new tenant.

A proposal to explore closing loopholes in London’s renoviction bylaw failed on a tie vote Monday, despite pleas from several tenants facing eviction to strengthen protections.

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Ward 6 and 13 councillors Sam Trosow and David Ferreira brought forward a motion asking staff to explore options to close gaps in London’s rental-repair licence bylaw – in effect since earlier this year – specifically around N13 eviction notices issued for demolitions or commercial conversions.