It is difficult to decide which level of government or politician
is most responsible for Toronto's disgraceful public and private rental conditions.
We have put forward the following three nominees, but we welcome additional
nominations before we bestow the honour of Lord of the Slums on the winner in
February, 2006.
Ontario Housing Minister John Gerretsen, whose
government promised to repeal the Tenant Protection Act within a year of being
elected. More than two years later, there is still no sign of the new Act
and there is word from Liberal insiders that Gerretsen - along with his boss,
Premier Dalton McGuinty, who deserves to share the award - is bowing to pressure
from the powerful landlord lobby and refusing to reinstate meaningful rent
controls when he finally introduces the new changes.
Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) CEO Derek
Ballantyne, who presides over Canada's biggest landlord, where more than
164,000 tenants live in increasingly wretched conditions in public housing units all over Toronto. With some justification,
Ballantyne blames the federal and provincial government for the worsening
conditions, arguing that TCHC needs a massive infusion of public cash to fix
the disrepair problems. But while we agree that TCHC has been massively underfunded
and that many of its problems stem from the province downloading responsibility
onto the City, Ballantyne deserves much of the blame for other problems facing
TCHC. These include callous treatment of tenants by TCHC property managers
and staff; concerns and complaints of tenants often ignored or belittled;
and a troubling lack of adherence to TCHC's own Eviction Prevention policy,
which has seen vulnerable tenants evicted under petty and questionable circumstances,
often resulting in homelessness. Conditions at TCHC are fueling a growing
sense of hopelessness, anger and resentment, especially among youths. Ballantyne
needs to clean house and ensure that TCHC tenants are treated with the dignity
they deserve.
Toronto Mayor David Miller, who has had two years
to address the worsening crisis facing Toronto tenants. While Miller is known
for his bold public policy pronouncements, hardly a peep has been heard from
the Mayor about tenant issues since taking office. Is this a reflection of
the fact that homeowners, not tenants, traditionally vote in municipal elections?
And while the City has recently made some laudable progress, promising to
unveil a new tenant disclosure website on December 6, much more needs to be
done - including a system for licensing apartment buildings, which has been
delayed by soon-to-be-ended provincial legislative restraints. Most recently,
Miller - already smarting from genuine City scandals of the past - pandered
to media-induced hysteria and fired the head of Municipal Licensing and Standards,
Pam Coburn, sacrificing the one City official who has demonstrated a genuine
commitment to the rights of tenants.
