Ford government walks back on plan to consider changes to renters’ right to ‘security of tenure’

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing says ‘now is not the time’ to consider this type of change to the system.

The Ford government says it won’t be moving forward with consultations to modify the law that protects tenants’ right to remain in their unit.

On Sunday afternoon, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said his government is changing course on its plan to explore “changes to Ontario’s tenancy lease framework regarding month-to-month leases.”

In a post on X, Rob Flack said the Ford government is “not proceeding with consultations” pertaining to what is known as “security of tenure,” which gives tenants the right to remain in their rental unit as long as they follow their lease agreement and the Residential Tenancies Act.

This was one of more than 40 changes being considered to various regulations and acts in the “Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act.”

“We will continue to implement other common-sense reforms to strengthen the province’s rental housing market,” he said in a short statement.

“Residents expect stability and predictability in Ontario’s rental market, and now is not the time to consider changes to this system.”

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Flack added the province would, however, “continue to implement common-sense reforms and strengthen the province’s rental housing market by restoring balance at the Landlord and Tenant Board, cracking down on abuse of the system, and encouraging new rental construction to make it easier for families to find a place to call home.”

This move comes amid loud pushback from renters, advocates, organizations, and several politicians.

Toronto‘s mayor ‘relieved’ by reversal

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says she’s “relieved” by this reversal, adding these changes would have been “catastrophic for the 50 per cent of Torontonians who rent their homes, and a victory for large corporate landlords.”

“The credit goes to the tenant organizations who have made renters’ voices heard. The rest of Bill 60 still includes an erosion of renters’ rights at the LTB, as well as less compensation for a tenant evicted through no fault of their own,” Chow wrote in a post on X.

“The Province should scrap those changes, bring back rent control for all units, and strengthen tenant rights. People deserve a safe, secure and affordable roof over their heads.”

With files from CP24’s Joshua Freeman