Bill 60 yields polarizing local reaction from food banks, real estate experts

Food banks and real estate experts react as to the Ford Government's proposed Bill 60, which many fear could heavily favour landlors in disputes with tenants.

The Ford government’s proposed Bill 60 has community groups across the province and locally calling for action against it, while those in favour believe it can be good news for housing.

For food banks that are already operating at capacity, they fear that it could bring even worse days are ahead.

“When we were first made aware of the details of Bill 60, frankly, it was scary, it was terrifying to us,” said Ryan Noble, executive director of the North York Harvest Food Bank.

The bill – proposed by the Ford government back in October – includes legislation that food banks worry will expedite evictions by giving tenants less time to pay rental arrears, which could make it more difficult for renters to dispute an eviction.

North York Harvest Food Bank wrote an open letter to the Ford Government calling for parts of it to be repealed.

That letter was signed by more than 70 other foodbank executives across the province, including the Barrie Food Bank.

“Anything that makes housing less affordable or that makes it easier for people to lose their homes means that they’re going to have to turn to organizations like ours to be able to meet their basic needs at a time where we’re barely keeping up with the demand that we’re seeing,” continued Noble.

The Barrie Food Bank estimated that 72 per cent of its clients rent.

“Many of our clients are already choosing between paying rent and buying food. So anything that increases the risk of eviction pushes more people toward homelessness and we’re already seeing record need,” said Karen Shuh, the Barrie Food Bank’s executive director, in part of her statement to CTV News. “A shortened eviction timeline or reduced tenant protections can be the difference between staying housed and living in a shelter or encampment. When someone loses housing or is at risk of losing housing, they almost always turn to the food bank. Evictions are not just a housing issue; they’re a food security issue. Bill 60 has the potential to increase both.”

While The Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia was not among the signatures in the North York Harvest letter, Chris Peacock, executive director, says he is behind it.

“Homelessness will become more of an issue more than what we see now and it’s sad it’s unfair,” said Peacock. “It’s not an equitable bill at all.”

In a statement to CTV News by the province, the ministry of Municipal Affairs and housing said in part that Bill 60 “ensures accountability for those who repeatedly abuse the system and create backlogs at the Landlord Tenant Board.”

“It also ensures families who depend on rental income are able to pay their mortgages, property taxes, and utility bills which keeps more rental homes available - protecting the long-term stability of Ontario’s rental housing supply,” continued the province in its statement.

It is not all one-sided, however, as there is an existing shortage of rental supply, and there are unprecedented delays throughout the system.

“If you have a tenant that hasn’t paid you any rent, you could be waiting up to a year to get a hearing and get that person out of your home,” said Peggy Hill, a Barrie real estate broker.

Hill adds that Bill 60 could increase housing supply and affordability by providing more incentives to build and invest.

“We need reform, we absolutely need reform.”

Realtors and Food banks CTV News spoke with were unanimous in their call for a system that is more equally fair for both landlords and tenants.