logo
Landlords will need help if temperature law becomes reality, advocacy group says

Landlords will need help if temperature law becomes reality, advocacy group says

CBC5 days ago
As an Ottawa MPP puts forward a plan to require Ontario landlords to provide renters with air conditioning, one representative for local landlords says building owners will need support for expensive and time-consuming upgrades.
In early July, Catherine McKenney, the NDP's housing critic and representative for Ottawa Centre, said they plan to bring a motion to Queen's Park this fall that would cap apartment temperatures at 26 C.
"We are prepared to do our part," said John Dickie, chair of the Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization, a local advocacy group.
"But we also think that the responsibility for the safety of [low-income people] — and let's face it, it's low-income people who have this problem — that's a responsibility for society at large, for everyone, not just for the people who happen to own the buildings where these people make their homes."
According to Statistics Canada, extreme heat events between 2000 and 2020 led to 670 more deaths than usual across Canada's 12 largest cities. Ontario does not track the number of heat-related deaths in the province.
Dickie told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning people are "rightly" concerned about tenants' health, but "the devil is in the details."
Retrofitting programs would help
In Ontario, landlords are not required by law to provide air conditioning.
If a lease allows, a tenant may install their own AC unit. But if a landlord says no, the tenant's only other option is to appeal to the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Owners of buildings without air conditioning have several concerns about McKenney's plan, Dickie said, but possibly the largest is the electricity.
Electrical systems in buildings — particularly older ones which may have been wired differently — may not be able to keep up with 24/7 cooling, he said.
Governments could offer programs to help landlords perform retrofits, Dickie suggested, something that could have positive environmental effects, too, as buildings could then become more energy efficient.
While there's a "bit of a smorgasbord" of programs available, more are needed to target buildings with low-income tenants, said Jacqueline Wilson, a lawyer with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).
"I think everyone appreciates that there's some buildings where it's more complex than others," she said.
"[At the federal, provincial and municipal levels] there should be funding available for those landlords to get assistance to meet the requirements quickly and ideally in a way that is environmentally sustainable."
'Landlords are rich people'
All three levels of government have overlapping jurisdictions on this issue, Wilson explained, so it's crucial they all take action to make a maximum temperature law a reality.
That's something that Hassan Youssouf thinks is possible, despite the difficulty.
Youssouf has worked with the City of Ottawa on this issue for the Ottawa branch of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).
Landlords have a responsibility to work with those levels of government too, he argued, so that the costs aren't simply passed down to those who can least afford them: the renters.
"We know that landlords are rich people," he said, adding that even those who own a small or old building are "well-off."
"If they invest in their buildings and their homes, it's good for them in the long run and it's good for the people who live there."
But putting the onus on the landlord is "the easy way out," Dickie argued.
"Everyone thinks landlords are, by definition, rich because they own a building — except that often really it's the bank that owns the building," he said.
If landlords are mandated to install air conditioning but can't afford it, they may have to sell and get out of the business, Dickie said. But finding a buyer could be a challenge, he added — especially if the building is old, or if tenants are paying low rents because of rent control.
"[Those buildings] are not very viable economic propositions," he said. "And it's society that has imposed that on the property owner. And now, at least in our view, it should be for society to help solve the problem that society has created."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Spruce Woods byelection set for Aug. 26
Spruce Woods byelection set for Aug. 26

CBC

time2 hours ago

  • CBC

Spruce Woods byelection set for Aug. 26

A date has been set for the byelection in Spruce Woods. The byelection in the southwestern Manitoba constituency will be held on Aug. 26, the government announced Friday evening. The news comes a day after the governing New Democrats nominated real estate agent Ray Berthelette to represent them in the longtime Progressive Conservative stronghold. The PCs' Grant Jackson resigned from the seat to run for federal office. Spruce Woods has been without an MLA in the legislature since March 24. Manitoba's Official Opposition previously accused the NDP of dragging its feet in calling the byelection, which under provincial law had to happen by Sept. 16. The election will be held 155 days after Jackson's resignation. Longtime Tory volunteer Colleen Robbins will be representing the party in the election, with teacher Stephen Reid running for the Liberals. Elections Manitoba said in a release advance voting will begin on Aug. 16. More information, including polling locations, can be found on its website.

Montreal plans to shut down ‘MAGA superstar' singer's show over lack of permit
Montreal plans to shut down ‘MAGA superstar' singer's show over lack of permit

CTV News

time2 hours ago

  • CTV News

Montreal plans to shut down ‘MAGA superstar' singer's show over lack of permit

Christian musician Sean Feucht of California sings to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) The City of Montreal confirmed it plans to shut down a concert by a U.S.-based Christian musician who has been described as a 'MAGA superstar,' saying the venue does not hold proper permits. Six dates of Sean Feucht's Canadian tour have been cancelled so far. His concerts in Quebec City, Gatineau, Charlottetown, and Halifax were all cancelled earlier this week. Event organizers said the events were called off after complaints and reports of planned protests. The controversial singer was scheduled to put on a show at the Ministerios Restauración Church in the Plateau-Mont-Royal at 7 p.m. Friday night. A spokesperson for the city told CTV News that the church 'does not have a permit to organize a concert, and district inspectors have notified the owners that the event cannot take place.' But Feucht posted on social media that 'The church IS NOT BACKING DOWN!!!' and it's 'time to take a stand for the gospel in Canada!' They are now pressuring, threatening & attacking the Spanish pastor of the cathedral (built in the 1930's) we are at tonight in Montreal. It's a moment of decision for the spiritual leaders of this nation. Will they arise in boldness? — Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) July 25, 2025 Show goes against Montreal`s values of 'inclusion, solidarity and respect,' city says The city said police have been mobilized to enforce regulations and 'violation notices will be issued if the concert goes ahead.' A spokesperson for Montreal police (SPVM) said officers have been on-site since this afternoon and are monitoring the situation. Feucht's has been outspoken against 'gender ideology,' abortion and the LGBTQ+ community and met with American President Donald Trump during his first term. He also protested government restrictions during the pandemic and is known to go on political and religious rants during his concerts. Montreal said the show goes against the city's values of 'inclusion, solidarity and respect.' Over the last few days, he has been taking to social media to call out what he says is 'the outright persecution and censorship of a Christians in Canada.' Rebel News launched an online petition to 'protect the right for Christians to worship in Canada' after his shows were cancelled. 'Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not accepted in Montreal. As in other Canadian cities, this show will not be tolerated,' said a spokesperson for Montreal in a text message. With files from CTV News Montreal's Max Harrold

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store