Renters need more protections now, not less, the passing of Bill 184 erodes some protections in the Residential Tenancy Act. We cannot support a law that fast tracks evictions.
We pushed for greater vacancy control, the extension of tenants' protection to buildings newer than 1991, with Private Members Bills. The Ford Government should have helped renters by introducing real rent control measures, shielding tenants from illegal evictions and removing dangerous clauses from Bill 184.
My NDP colleagues and I, lead by our critic, MPP Suze Morrison, still await a response to our letter to the Premier which sounded the alarm pointing out dangers this bill holds for Toronto tenants. Our letter also renewed our proposal for the NDP’s longstanding call to protect tenants who have lost income during the pandemic by providing rent subsidies (of 80 per cent of the household monthly rent, up to $2,500 per month, for four months).
Ford has refused to provide rent relief during the pandemic, and his weak pause on the enforcement of evictions leaves tenants vulnerable the second it ends. More not less is needed. A recovery after Covid-19 can’t happen if we give landlord retroactive tools to speed up evictions.
