![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6873309.1714781294!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
City planning committee approves study into anti-renovictions bylaw
![Renoviction Councillors voted to approve a study into an anti-renovictions bylaw on April 24, 2024 in Ottawa. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/24/renoviction-1-6860469-1713988403716.png)
Councillors have approved a motion that would study the possibility of an anti-renovictions bylaw, which tenant advocates say would help to prevent frivolous evictions.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
After several hours of debate and 17 delegates providing their input at Wednesday's planning and housing committee, councillors unanimously voted to approve the motion put forward by Coun. Ariel Troster.
The motion does not approve an anti-renovictions bylaw, but rather, enables staff to study the idea and provide the committee with cost estimates if such a bylaw were implemented.
City staff will now look into the feasibility of an anti-renovictions bylaw and look at the model put forward in Hamilton, Ont., where landlords are required to apply for permits before conducting work that requires a tenant to move out.
Delegates made up of tenants, advocacy organizations, the Ottawa Mission, student leaders and landlord advocates provided statements before councillors.
"My landlord just served me with an N13," said Dustin Munro, who lives in an apartment in Vanier and came with Ottawa advocacy organization ACORN. He told councillors he has lived at the same address for nine years and is being evicted so the landlord can make renovations to the property.
"I've been fighting to keep my place, I want to keep my place," he told councillors.
Ottawa Mission director of communications Aileen Leo spoke of the importance of introducing an anti-renovictions bylaw to reduce the burden on the shelter system. Leo says many clients visiting the shelter have been renovicted.
"It's incredibly frustrating and disparaging for us to see clients who have gone through our programs and find themselves back at our shelter which is not where they want to be," she said.
"Without an anti-renovictions bylaw, the situation will only get worse."
The city of Ottawa has seen an increase in N13 eviction notices handed to tenants. Statistics from the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) show there was a 545 per cent increase in N13 notices filed in Ottawa between 2017 and 2022, and tripled between 2022 and 2023, according to a report by Ottawa ACORN.
In January, the city of Hamilton became the first Ontario city to pass an anti-renovictions bylaw.
"Hamilton has taken the lead and I think we have the opportunity to lead too," Troster said.
She adds that the motion as it stands is "not prescriptive" and the details of the bylaw could change to fit Ottawa's circumstances.
Landlord advocates told councillors the bylaw would prevent landlords from making essential repairs to their units and said the city should leave rental issues to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
"The landlord and tenant board needs to be the only place where the landlords and tenants can discuss the renovictions that need to happen," said Kayla Andrade with the organization Ontario Landlords Watch.
"This is where the landlord can prove the evidence to an adjudicator."
Andrade said the city should consider looking at alternatives to protect tenants, such as improving insurance for displaced tenants and introducing education programs to inform tenants of their rights.
Staff will have until September to present a report to councillors outlining their recommendations on the feasibility of an anti-renovictions bylaw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6867367.1714486964!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.