The ongoing struggle of tenants in several Trenton apartment buildings to stay in their apartments despite eviction notices was a topic of discussion Wednesday at the provincial legislature.
NDP MPP Jessica Bell challenged the government to protect tenants threatened by so-called renovictions.
In response, Housing Minister Steve Clark said the proposed “Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act” will help tenants by making it tougher to start renovations and by giving tenants the right of first refusal to get back into their previous apartment.
Bell says Ontario’s eviction laws are too weak to work.
“The reality is this – if a tenant is illegally evicted they never get back into their home. The reality if also this. If a landlord illegally evicts a tenant they almost never get a fine.”
Hands Off Our Homes Quinte West maintains the buildings are in good condition and the landlord is doing renovations simply to raise rents afterward.
There has been no comment from landlord Bedford Properties.
Beginning her remarks Bell, who is a Toronto riding MPP, mistakenly identified the Trenton tenants as being from Rossmore.
