Ford's bill 23 is a disaster for tenants

Doug Ford’s new housing bill, named the “More Homes Built Faster Act 2022 (bill 23),” will destroy existing affordable housing units, erode tenants’ rights, and cause evictions. Bill 23 was passed in the Ontario legislature on Nov. 28. We are calling on Ford to repeal the bill.

What does Bill 23 do?

It could take away tenants’ right to return to a rental unit after a demolition. This will cause more evictions and displacement to increase profits for developers. 

It takes away power from the City of Toronto to use its rental replacement bylaws. The City uses its rental replacement bylaws to require developers to replace rental units under rent control that are lost during a demolition, conversion, or redevelopment. 

It will drastically restrict the ability of cities to build affordable housing units through Inclusionary zoning. Inclusionary Zoning is one tool that the City of Toronto currently has to mandate the construction of affordable rental units. With the new bill, only 5 percent of a new building development is set aside for affordable housing (when the building is part of Inclusionary Zoning). This could override City of Toronto bylaws that allow up to 22 percent of units to be affordable housing. 

It could weaken the definition of affordable housing. The City of Toronto defines “affordable housing” as 30 percent of a person’s monthly income. A weaker definition means that “affordable housing” units built through affordable housing policies (such as Inclusionary Zoning) will actually be more expensive for tenants. They will not be affordable. 

Affordable rental units built under affordable housing policies will expire after a maximum of 25 years, instead of being permanently affordable rental units. 

Send an email to Ford, our MPP, and Mayor John Tory.