Stop Bill 184 (Ontario Eviction Bill)
The following is taken from local MPP Bhutila Karpoche’s website. Please consider signing as the consequences for tenants everywhere in the province are much higher than the few benefits.
Stop Ford's Eviction Bill
Dear neighbour,
It's June and this means rent is due. Many have been unable to pay their rent for April and May and for the third month in a row, many more will be unable to pay.
As tenants still wait for rent relief in the middle of a public health and economic crisis, last week the Ford government decided to ram through legislation that will make it easier for landlords to evict tenants. Bill 184, ironically titled Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act limits the ability of tenants to defend against eviction and in some cases remove the requirement to hold eviction hearings altogether.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, tenants are already struggling to choose between paying rent or putting food on their table. During this pandemic and beyond, tenants need:
Real protections from eviction so they can keep their homes even if they can’t afford to pay rent during the pandemic.
Real rent control on all units, including vacant units.
Protection from illegal evictions by bringing in real fines for landlords who illegally evict, and proper enforcement of the law.
Bill 184 will make tenants more vulnerable. We need to take action now.
About the Bill
Bill 184 would make it easier for landlords to evict tenants by:
Taking away tenant’s right to defend themselves at eviction hearings: tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent would no longer be allowed to raise new issues, such as disrepair, at the hearing.
Taking away tenant’s right to a hearing following a repayment agreement: currently, if a tenant and landlord reach an agreement on repaying rent arrears prior to a hearing, and if the tenant fails to fulfil that agreement, the tenant is entitled to a hearing before an eviction can proceed. Bill 184 would allow landlords to proceed straight to an eviction order without a hearing.
Bill 184 would hurt tenants in other ways as well, by:
Making illegal rent increases legal: An illegal rent increase will now become legal if the tenant doesn’t file an application to fight the increase within one year
Allowing landlords to withhold information about utility costs: Currently, landlords with suite-metered units must give prospective tenants information about electricity consumption. Bill 184 removes this requirement
Contact the Government
Doug Ford, Premier
Phone: 416-325-1941
Email: premier@ontario.ca
Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Phone: 416-585-7000
Email: steve.clark@pc.ola.org
Add your name to Stop the Eviction Bill 184 from becoming law.