City of Ottawa looks to protect tenants from renovictions
The city of Ottawa has identified a "potential tool" that would protect tenants from renovictions, by preventing a residential building with six or more units from being demolished without a permit.
A joint meeting of the community and protective services committee and planning committee this morning will discuss ideas to address anti-renoviction proposals to protect tenants.
Renoviction refers to evictions that occur when a landlord undertakes renovations to a rental property and "then replaces the evicted tenants with those who would pay higher rents after the renovations are completed," says a report for today's meeting.
In November 2020, council directed staff to look at all the municipal tools available to prevent or prohibit renovictions in the city.
Staff say while an outright ban on all renovictions is not within the scope of the municipality's authority, they have identified, "as a potential tool", ways to prevent the further loss of affordable rental units.
The Municipal Act allows the city to "prohibit the 'conversion of residential rental properties to a purpose other than the purpose of a residential rental property', of 6 units or more, without a permit," the report says.
"The municipality may impose conditions on the permit and may require an agreement be registered on title."
The report says "this power" would prevent a residential unit or building from being used as a business or turned into a condominium, unless a permit was granted by Council.
Staff recommend the committees direct staff to prepare a proposal to explore the feasibility of a new bylaw to prohibit the full or partial demolition or conversion of residential and rental housing of six or more units without a permit issued by the city.
The report notes "every unit counts" for housing.
The committees are also being asked to direct the mayor write to the Ontario government asking for legislative changes to protect existing tenants and affordable housing stock by updating the Residential Tenancies Act to "further prevent and prohibit instances of renovictions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.