Kitchener, Waterloo take steps on potential renoviction bylaws

CTV News

8 hours ago

Kitchener city council has formally directed staff to begin drafting a potential renoviction bylaw, despite an earlier staff report that advised against implementing one.
The forthcoming bylaw, aimed at curbing bad-faith evictions under the guise of renovations, is expected to be developed in consultation with housing law experts and will complement existing provincial legislation, according to city staff.
'If nothing else, if this helps bring people some peace of mind, some hope that there is some support for them, then for me that is worthwhile at a time when housing continues to be so precarious for so many,' said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
When asked by Coun. Jason Deneault what exactly this bylaw would do, Manager of Policy and Research, Natalie Goss, said the bylaw 'would provide a licencing mechanism and depending on how the bylaw is structured, it could provide tenant compensation options.'
Council heard from several delegates during Monday night's meeting, including social worker and housing advocate Jacara Droog who urged action, warning that Kitchener could become a target for speculative landlords if it fails to act.
'Other municipalities are moving forward with similar bylaws,' she said. 'If we don't act, Kitchener risks become a target and magnet for bad-faith investors looking to maximize profits without oversight. We cannot afford to be a weak link.'
Ultimately, six committee members voted in favour of developing a draft bylaw, three voted against the idea and two abstained from voting due to possible conflicts of interest.
A draft version is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.
In Waterloo, a similar discussion unfolded, with city staff also recommending against an immediate bylaw. However, councillors opted to explore the idea further, saying the city needs to be more proactive when it comes to protecting its renters.
'There is merit to passing a renoviction bylaw, it makes a statement to landlords that we're taking a stand against bad actors,' said Coun. Jen Vasic.
'This report, with all due respect, is playing it safe,' said Waterloo resident, Steven Singer. 'I am definitely in favour of a renoviction bylaw. Based on the stories I've heard, there is no time to delay.'
One delegate at Monday night's meeting, Elliot Wand of ACORN, told council his building has been nearly emptied through renovictions.
'Only myself and two others remain,' he said. 'Everyone else has been renovicted.'
Mayor Dorothy McCabe and staff cautioned that a renoviction bylaw could duplicate existing efforts, arguing the city is already taking meaningful steps to prevent unlawful evictions.
They emphasized that the eviction process is ultimately governed by the province and the municipality's role should remain supportive.
'Not passing a renoviction bylaw is not saying staff is in favour of renovictions, but we can't stop renovations,' said Michelle Lee, senior policy planner with the city. 'But we can advocate to the province and say publicly that the province needs to take x,y,z steps in order to help limit.'
'I just want to remind us that we are doing a lot and we've done a good job but I just worry that if we do anything, it repeats work we've already done or the province has already done,' said McCabe.
Council asked staff to return with a potential framework for a renoviction licensing bylaw and examine options for better housing system coordination. A timeline has not been confirmed, but discussions could resume as early as fall.
Council also approved broader housing measures, including support for legal clinics and possible funding for tenant eviction prevention programs.
- With reporting by Spencer Turcotte