Ontario government backs down on consultations to end rent control, indefinite leases

Renters in Ontario can finally sigh in relief after the province stepped back on considerations of a proposal that may have ended rent control and indefinite leases in the future. Last week, Premier Doug Ford’s government introduced a new housing bill and plan for the future, which included a proposal for consultations for an alternative option to lease expiry rules “that could allow landlords to control who occupies their unit and for how long,” depending on terms such as market conditions and personal needs. After push back by politicians, housing advocates and renters across the province, Ontario’s Minister of Housing Rob Flack posted on social media Sunday that the government would not proceed with consultations “on potential changes to Ontario’s tenancy lease framework.”He said the province would continue to push forward with “common sense reforms” to strengthen the rental market.“Residents expect stability and predictability in Ontario’s rental market, and now is not the time to consider changes to this system,” said Flack.“Ontario will continue … by restoring balance at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), cracking down on abuse of the system, and encouraging new rental construction to make it easier for families to find a place to call home.”Renters and advocates rallied together last week after the proposal’s introduction for fear that it could hurt long-term tenants and vulnerable renters, such as seniors and students, and worsen the homelessness crisis across Ontario.WATCH | How ‘financial landlords’ have impacted the affordability crisis:How much are ‘financial landlords’ driving up Toronto rents?A new report is shining a light on a decades-long problem in Toronto: so-called ‘financial landlords’ and their effect on Toronto’s rental market. CBC’s Chris Glover digs into the data to find out why they are worsening the affordability crisis. Over 23,000 emails were sent by Ontario tenants to the premier, housing minister, attorney general and MPPs demanding that the proposal not be considered, said non-profit organization ACORN in a news release. While there’s relief that the proposal is no longer being considered, ACORN said the Ford government’s new housing Bill 60 does little to protect affordable housing and makes evictions easier.“[It’s] a sign the government is feeling the heat. But ACORN warns that the fight is far from over,” said the release, adding members would continue to fight back “until all parts of the bill that threaten housing stability are scrapped.”The York South-Weston Tenant Union said in a news release that the latest bill brings about “sweeping changes” to the Residential Tenancies Act and reduces tenant rights at the LTB — making it easier for landlords to evict renters. It claimed Ford’s government and the bill are heavily influenced by landlord lobby groups that have pushed for policies to raise rent and make tenant removals easier. “As the Ford government moves forward with Bill 60, the message from tenants is clear: Ontario’s tenants are uniting to defend homes and demand a housing system that puts people before profit,” said the union’s release.Proposal would be ‘catastrophic’ to renters: Toronto mayorToronto Mayor Olivia Chow also took to social media to share her relief at the province’s reconsideration to change tenants’ “security of tenure” rights. Currently, renters are protected by what’s called “security of tenure,” which gives them the right to remain in a rental unit as long as they follow the lease agreement and residential tenancies act. It also allows tenants to continue on a month-to-month rental basis after a fixed-term lease ends. Landlords are unable to evict tenants without a legally valid reason.Chow said such a change would have been “catastrophic for the 50 per cent of Torontonians who rent” and a large victory for corporate landlords. According to 2021 census data by Statistics Canada, 48 per cent of Toronto’s population rent their homes. WATCH | What are the pain points in Toronto’s chaotic rental market:Understanding Toronto’s rental market pain pointsToronto’s rental market has several pain points. CBC Toronto’s Shannon Martin speaks to several housing experts to better understand how Canada’s largest city has been pushed into a rental crisis.“The credit goes to the tenant organizations who have made renters’ voices heard,” she said. “People deserve a safe, secure and affordable roof over their heads.”Chow added that the rest of Bill 60 “includes an erosion of renter’s rights at the LTB, as well as less compensation for a tenant evicted through no fault of their own.” She said the province should “scrap those changes” to bring back rent control for all units, including those built after 2018, and strengthen renters’ rights.Bill 60 amendments reduce tenants rights at LTB: advocatesThe province’s change of heart shows what happens when tenants “unite and fight back,” Chiara Padovani, co-chair of the York South-Weston Tenant Union, told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. “We were successful in telling Doug Ford hands off our leases, and tenants are still fighting against the rest of the rights that he’s chipping away at,” she said, adding Bill 60 makes it easier for landlords to evict tenants through changes at the LTB. Tenant lawyer Samuel Mason said the amendments in the bill limit renters’ ability to counterclaim in eviction hearings for nonpayment of rent. The changes would force tenants to first pay 50 per cent of what the landlord is claiming is unpaid before they can file a counterclaim, he told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.Tenant lawyer Samuel Mason says Bill 60 limits how tenants can make a counterclaim at a Landlord and Tenants Board eviction hearing. (CBC)“Oftentimes the landlords, what they’re claiming isn’t even correct or it’s illegal rent or they’re inflating how much the tenant owes,” he said. “And so these amendments require the tenants to pay 50 per cent of an unproven claim for them to even be able to raise their own issues.”Padovani says the bill prioritizes landlords over tenants in what Ford has called an attempt “to bring balance” to the applications brought to the LTB.She said countless residents in Ontario would be put in difficult situations or “be out on the streets” if their right to defend themselves were reduced. “It’s a complete slap in the face to tenants and it’s an example of how Doug Ford actually doesn’t care about tenants. And he’s responding to a landlord lobby that finances his campaigns,” said Padovani.Doug Ford ‘as inconsistent as a weather vane’: Liberal criticLiberal housing critic Adil Shamji called it absurd to even consider ending rent control in the midst of an affordability crisis and trade war. He said in an emailed statement that the move reveals where the Ford government’s priorities truly lie. “The reversal of the government’s decision to consult on security of tenure represents only a temporary reprieve,” said Shamji, adding Bill 60 “unfairly villainize renters” without addressing why landlords and tenants are unable to seek justice in the housing system. “It represents the latest flip flop in a series of reversals by Doug Ford that shows he doesn’t do his homework and is as inconsistent as a weather vane.”WATCH | Ontario once again misses housing starts goal:Ontario is far off its housing� starts goalUpdated numbers show the Ontario government once again failed to meet its goal for housing starts, even with new ways of counting them. CBC’s Lorenda Reddekopp has the details — and reaction. Catherine McKenney, Ontario NDP shadow housing minister, said the Ford government “has shown its vindictive hand towards renters,” and that rent control is needed now more than ever.“While this walk-back is some relief, we know we can’t trust this government,” they said in a written statement. “The Premier has a responsibility to keep Ontarians from falling through the cracks, and he must follow through with real rent control now.”Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Greens, said in a statement that it was “a huge relief” to see the province back off from consultations, but that “rent remains totally unaffordable” for many in Ontario.”When will the Ford government stop with the distractions and finally deliver the housing solutions we need to solve the worsening housing affordability crisis?” he said. “Especially during this time of economic uncertainty, Ontarians deserve to feel secure in their homes.”