Latest news with #Motala
Global News
9 hours ago
- Global News
Toronto tenant fears homelessness amid alleged ‘bad faith' eviction
A Toronto man who has lived in the same High Park apartment for decades says he now fears for his livelihood after being denied permission to appeal his eviction to Ontario's top court. Andras Henye, who is disabled, partially blind and dealing with declining health, has lived in the same apartment for nearly 50 years. He had asked the Ontario Court of Appeal to hear his case, arguing that he was evicted in bad faith by his landlord, Minto Apartment REIT. According to court documents, Henye's eviction is due to non-compliance with smoking rules in the building, despite having a grandfathered right to smoke. He says he fully complied with previous court orders requiring him to stop, but is still being evicted. Now in his late 50s and with ongoing health issues, Hanye told Global News he fears he won't be able to find another place after his court proceedings were posted online by an unknown third party without his consent. 'I'll be evicted, and I'll be homeless. And that's what worries me the most,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Henye has lived in the apartment since childhood; his parents died in the same unit. 'My home is my life. Losing it would mean losing everything, possibly my life.' Henye says he's up to date on rent and had stopped smoking in the unit before his landlord, Minto Apartment REIT, moved to evict him. In a decision released this week, the Court of Appeal dismissed Henye's motion for leave to appeal and denied his request to stop the eviction. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'While I am cognizant of attachment to the unit and his health challenges, I see no meritorious ground of appeal such that an order should be granted,' wrote Justice Julie Thorburn. The eviction order remains in effect and may be enforced at any time. Legal team raises concerns Henye's lawyer, Dr. Michael Motala, said the case raises concerns about how the Landlord and Tenant Board handles vulnerable tenants, especially those representing themselves. Story continues below advertisement 'At the Landlord and Tenant Board, Mr. Henye was not given an opportunity to speak whatsoever until I think approximately an hour into the hearing,' Motala said. Motala said that Henye asked to raise preliminary issues and seek an adjournment briefly to get a lawyer, but 'none of these things happened in this matter.' Motala also told Global News that Henye fully complied with all court orders and stopped smoking in his unit long ago. 'There's a lot of stigma associated with smoking. Despite the fact that there's a contractual right, he has in good faith obeyed any court order, including the one he referenced, and has completely ceased the activity,' Motala added. 'Housing is a human right' Other tenants say Henye's case is not unique and reflects a larger pattern of corporate landlords displacing long-time residents. Story continues below advertisement Melinda McInnes, a longtime High Park resident and community advocate, said she's seen it firsthand. 'I have seen countless REITovictions in my time,' McInnes said. 'There's fear for housing security.' She adds that this case will set a concerning example for corporate landlords and tenants dealing with similar situations. 'Decisions like these send strong messages to long-term, vulnerable tenants that their rights are irrelevant. Housing is a human right, not a bump in a monthly dividend cheque.' In response to an inquiry from Global News, Minto declined to comment on the specifics but said the case has been ongoing for some time. 'We are not going to be providing any additional details on this matter at the given moment,' said Tamara Costa, senior director with Minto. 'Many parties are involved … it's been going on for many years.' 'I simply want fair treatment and the right to live my life peacefully,' said Henye.
Global News
6 days ago
- General
- Global News
Ontario boat charters issue warning over ‘deceptive' operators
As the weather starts to heat up across the province, one Ontario boating company is urging the public to be cautious when booking charters for the summer. The Great Lakes Boaters Association (GLBA), which says it represents more than 300 boaters and 40 companies, put out a petition earlier this month asking Toronto to loosen its safety regulations and increase access to docking infrastructure across the city. However, some licensed boating companies are concerned about the safety of passengers, alleging the association supports unlicensed yacht charters that put the public at risk. Mani Saba, founder of Toronto Yachts and the Safety Awareness Boating Alliance, told Global News many members of the GLBA are operating without required certifications. Furthermore, they're crowding out fully compliant operators who follow Transport Canada's commercial safety standards, he said. Saba said his company has documented dozens of operators accused of skirting the Canada Shipping Act and Transport Canada's rules and regulations. Story continues below advertisement He alleges that some illegal charters do not have enough lifejackets or go over capacity on the number of allowed passengers on board. He says in times of crisis or emergency, these rules can be the 'silver-lining between life and death.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'These deceptive practices not only undermine the legitimate licensed businesses like Toronto Yachts, but also endanger public safety by circumventing critical regulations designed to protect passengers and crews,' Saba said. Michael Motala, a lawyer representing Toronto Yachts, said unregulated boating on Ontario waters has serious consequences. 'Every single summer, every single season, people die in the lakes or the port of Toronto. There are reports where people die from unlicensed boat operators,' Motala said. Saba also added that some charter customers may not know what kind of boat they're getting on and the risks can be severe. 'A lot of charter companies do not have proper safety training so when passengers are on board and something happens, they don't know what to do,' said Saba. Motala added: 'Imagine being the parent of someone innocently going out on the water, only to discover six to 12 hours later that because of an incident, your daughter or son is dead.' Transport Canada confirmed in a statement to Global News that it 'does not register or formally recognize marine associations such as the Great Lakes Boaters Association.' Global News contacted the GLBA for comment, but did not receive a response by deadline. Story continues below advertisement The agency also said it has taken enforcement action against non-compliant charter operations. 'During the 2024 summer period, Transport Canada undertook inspection activities on alleged passenger operations, some of which resulted in enforcement actions, including vessel detentions,' the department said. Toronto police also told Global News in a statement that they are aware of 'growing public concern regarding the safety of Toronto's waterways' and confirmed that 'there have been several marine-related deaths that have led to criminal charges, as well as charges under the Canada Shipping Act.' According to the Ontario Provincial Police, falling overboard and vessel capsizing remain the leading causes of boating deaths in Ontario. Over the last five years, 131 people have died in boating incidents on OPP-patrolled waterways, including 56 paddlers. Authorities added they are continuing to work with enforcement partners to ensure compliance and public safety as the summer approaches. 'The biggest challenge is there's no distinguishable element out there for the member of public to identify who is a licensed and safe operator and who's not,' Saba said.
