Councillor Josh Matlow

In March, Doug Ford promised Ontario tenants that he would have their back and protect them from evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, his actions have not matched his words.

Provinces across the country, including British Columbia, have provided rent supports for struggling tenants.  Ontario has not provided one cent of rent relief to tenants, despite being home to cities like Toronto with some of the highest rents in Canada. While evictions were temporarily stopped, the government has continued to allow eviction notices to be given to renters, making it faster and easier to kick tenants out when the Landlord and Tenant Board reopens.

Now, the Ford government is making it even easier to evict tenants through the new Bill 184. Bill 184 takes away tenants' legal rights to a fair hearing, and forces them to accept repayment plans that many cannot afford. This bill will result in more evictions, and more tenants out on the street.

Renters did their part when they were asked to stay home. Now, with so many facing financial ruin due to the pandemic, it is time for the province to do their part by:

• - Providing support for tenants that have qualified for federal income supports during the COVID-19 pandemic
• - Banning eviction notices (N4s) to tenants that are unable to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• - Eliminating the provision in Bill 184 that requires tenants to give notice in writing of complaints against the landlord in an eviction hearing
• - Eliminating the provision in Bill 184 that allows landlords to evict tenants for Landlord and Tenant Board-ordered rent repayments without a follow-up hearing at the Board. 
• - Eliminating the provision in Bill 184 that instructs adjudicators to consider attempted negotiated agreements by the Landlord & Tenant Board in eviction decisions
• - Banning Guideline and Above the Guideline Rent Increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please fill out the form below to sign this petition and click on the resulting link to send an email to Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. Your voice is needed to support Ontario's tenants.