Thousands of tenants and housing advocates gathered at Queen’s Park on National Housing Day to protest Bill 60, a controversial piece of legislation introduced by the Ontario government.
The rally highlighted fears that the bill will increase housing instability and homelessness by weakening tenant protections across the province.
Demonstrators marched from the Federation of Rental Housing Providers’ headquarters to Queen’s Park, voicing opposition to what they describe as legislation that favours landlords over renters.
What Is Bill 60 and Why Is It Controversial?
Bill 60, also known as the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, is a proposed set of changes by the Ontario government aimed at expediting housing-related decisions to boost housing supply and reduce delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB).
The bill introduces several controversial modifications: it cuts the appeal times tenants have to challenge LTB decisions from 30 to 15 days, limits the evidence tenants can introduce during hearings, and, crucially, removes the mandatory compensation landlords must pay tenants when reclaiming rental units for personal use.
Bill 60 also aims to reduce the grace period for late rent payments from 14 days to just seven.
The government contends that these changes will restore balance to the rental market, hold repeat offenders accountable, and help landlords maintain financial sustainability. However, critics warn these changes significantly weaken tenant protections and could hasten evictions across Ontario.
Tenant Groups and Advocates Speak Out Against Bill 60
The protest march started at the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) headquarters. It proceeded through downtown Toronto to Queen’s Park, drawing widespread community support and media attention from outlets like CityNews.
The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA), led by Executive Director Yaroslava Avila Montenegro, has strongly condemned Bill 60. FMTA warns that these changes will exacerbate homelessness and make it easier for landlords to evict tenants unjustly.
“Unlocking housing by throwing people on the street is not a housing solution.”
The protest emphasized the collective call to the Ontario government to abandon Bill 60 due to its negative impact on renters and housing stability.
Tenant advocates have expressed concerns about a potential “blacklist” that could unfairly label tenants who have participated in rent strikes or faced financial difficulties as problematic renters. The bill’s accelerated eviction process is seen as particularly harmful to vulnerable populations, including low-income families, elderly renters, and migrant workers.
Political Responses and Ongoing Debate
Political opposition to Bill 60 has been vocal and significant. Toronto City Council unanimously rejected the bill, warning that it would accelerate evictions and weaken tenant rights, and that it would increase the strain on shelter and housing stability services.
Mayor Olivia Chow has publicly opposed Bill 60, stressing that the legislation shifts the system in favour of landlords without increasing housing supply, and urging collaborative efforts on affordable housing solutions. She advises the government to remove mandatory compensation cuts and instead focus on building truly affordable housing.
On the provincial level, NDP leader Marit Stiles visited Peterborough to rally support against the bill, calling for its repeal and advocating for “real rent control” measures, including caps on rent increases and vacancy control.
The Ford government defends Bill 60 as necessary to address rental market backlogs and protect responsible tenants, aiming to “restore balance” and maintain rental home availability.
Concerns Over Homelessness and Housing Stability
Tenant advocates and legal clinics have expressed deep concerns that Bill 60 will worsen homelessness and housing instability in Ontario.
The bill’s reduction of appeal periods and evidence restrictions at the LTB is expected to speed up evictions, potentially throwing more people into homelessness amid already rising housing insecurity.
Advocacy groups warn that eliminating mandatory compensation for landlords reclaiming units removes an essential safeguard for renters.
Data and warnings from community organizations stress that the bill’s passage without amendments could exponentially increase homelessness, putting more pressure on shelters and eviction-prevention services across the province.
This update on Bill 60 illustrates the ongoing tension between government efforts to expedite housing developments and tenant rights protections, highlighting a significant moment in Ontario’s housing policy debate as National Housing Day rallies bring voices of concern and calls for change to the forefront.
The voices raised at Queen’s Park on National Housing Day reflect deep concerns that Bill 60, as currently drafted, threatens the stability and security of renters across Ontario—a province grappling with a severe housing affordability crisis.
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