Our Midtown community has the highest percentage of tenants in Toronto. I am committed to working closely with tenants and the provincial government to restore real rent control to curb spiraling apartment rates and help ensure that renters have a clean, healthy home.

I also understand that the relationship between a tenant and a landlord can often be difficult and confusing. If you rent an apartment or house you have special rights and responsibilities that are governed by City of Toronto by-laws and provincial legislation. Tenants have the right to live in a clean, well-maintained building and not be subjected to rent increases above the provincially mandated increase without reasonable justification, or eviction without a fair hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board.

I’ve heard from many of you that being a renter in Toronto is becoming increasingly difficult and it feels like your budget is being squeezed tighter every month. While we appreciate that guideline rent increases have been capped, Above the Guideline Increases (AGIs) for basic upkeep and repairs have pushed rents that were already steep into the unaffordable range. In addition, the low vacancy rate has made it nearly impossible to find lower-cost alternatives elsewhere. No Torontonian should be forced to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, but that’s the unfortunate choice too many of us face.

It’s time for real action to protect tenants!