A Thunder Bay legal clinic has joined more than 130 organizations across Ontario in urging Premier Doug Ford to cancel a section of Bill 60.
The Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, which supports low-income residents, says the bill will make it harder for tenants to keep their homes.
In a letter released Nov. 10 and signed by 134 groups, advocates argue that Schedule 12 of the bill will “increase homelessness and encampments” by speeding up evictions and removing the small amount of compensation displaced renters receive today.
Advocates warn homelessness will rise
Groups say the bill cuts the notice period for not paying rent from 14 days to seven. This means landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) sooner if tenants fall behind.
“Bill 60 claims to fix backlogs at the LTB, but all it really does is take away tenant rights,” said Matthew Jollineau, a lawyer with the Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic. “It will make housing less stable and definitely increase homelessness.”
Jollineau said shorter deadlines will lead to even more eviction applications, adding to delays rather than reducing them.
He also noted that the bill would force tenants to pay 50 per cent of the amount they’re accused of owing before they can raise issues like poor maintenance or harassment at a hearing. He said this would prevent many low-income tenants from defending themselves.
The legislation would also shorten the time to request a review of an eviction order from 30 days to 15, making it harder for tenants who miss mail or didn’t know about a hearing to appeal.
Province defends the bill
A spokesperson for Housing Minister Rob Flack said the bill will help restore fairness in the rental market by improving accountability and reducing delays at the LTB. The province says Bill 60 is meant to “cut red tape,” build homes faster and reduce gridlock at hearings by preventing “bad actors” from misusing the system.
Grassroots landlord advocate Kayla Andrade also supports the bill. She says it brings “accountability and fairness” to the rental system and closes loopholes used by “chronic non-payers,” while still keeping supports like payment plans and rent banks.
“Private housing providers aren’t villains,” she said. “We’re part of the housing solution.”
Calls for municipalities to push back
The letter also asks municipalities to join the City of Toronto, which has already opposed Bill 60 and is exploring ways to protect renters.
Advocates say cities are already overwhelmed with rising homelessness.
“All Bill 60 does is help large corporate landlords,” Jollineau said. “It will lead to more encampments, higher rents and even more unstable housing.”
