TORONTO - Ontario NDP MPPs Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre), Critic for the Attorney General, and Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale), Critic for Housing, released the following statement expressing deep concern regarding the Ford Conservatives’ recent appointments to the Landlord & Tenant Board. These appointments continue the Conservatives’ troubling trend of favouritism and prioritizing the interests of a select few over the needs of real Ontarians - raising further questions about the integrity of the Ford government.
"Many of these appointees are unmerited insider friends of the Ford government who should raise flags for Ontarians who believe our Landlord and Tenant Board should be fair to tenants and landlords alike.
Vinuri Sivalingam, a paralegal who has regularly appeared before the Board to evict tenants in Toronto on behalf of a company notorious for tenant disputes and substandard living conditions. As well as Jay Aspin, a former conservative MP and close friend of MPP Vic Fedeli. This blatant disregard for the impartiality of the already strained LTB demonstrates Ford's lack of concern for the needs of average Ontarians, who don’t have his resources or connections.
The glaring holes in these appointees' backgrounds should have immediately rendered them ineligible and disqualified them from serving on the board. The Ontario NDP calls for a fast and fair Landlord and Tenant Board staffed with qualified adjudicators who can act impartially. That’s what Ontario expects and deserves.”