Note: This item was brought forward and dealt with prior to the delegations.
Item 9.3.1 was brought forward and dealt with at this time.
Andrzej Hoffmann, Manager, Government Relations and Public Liaison, Office of the CAO, provided a presentation, which included information and updates on matters relating to the Regional, Provincial and Federal Governments, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC).
Committee discussion took place with respect to the following:
- Expansion of the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse
- Impact of the Justice of the Peace shortage and related advocacy
- Landlord/tenant issues, and backlog at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board
The following motion was introduced.
"Whereas the City of Brampton is calling on the Province to strengthen existing legislation to empower landlord rights in an effort to reduce the number of landlord/tenant issues creating a backlog at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board; and
Whereas Brampton has experienced a high and growing number of converted residential rental units also known as additional residential units in existing neighbourhoods; and
Whereas Brampton is home to a significant number of international students, many of whom find housing in residential rental units; and
Whereas the City of Brampton is the first city to endorse an International Students Charter and has continuously advocated for the federal and provincial governments to better address issues related to the high number of international students being housed in the City; and
Whereas the Province of Ontario has recently announced a requirement for post-secondary institutions to guarantee adequate housing options for incoming international students; and
Whereas the Province of Ontario is allowing additional residential units (ARUs) to be included in municipal housing targets; and
Whereas the City of Brampton recently launched the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program to more effectively uphold local health, safety and property standards; and
Whereas, the RRL Pilot will also help collect data on the number of ARUs within Brampton; and
Whereas landlords with residential rental properties in Brampton are concerned about the backlog of tenant issues at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board, particularly related to overcrowding of tenants due to tenant subletting outside of lease agreements,
Therefore be it resolved that:
1. The Mayor, on behalf of Council write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, that asks the Landlord and Tenant Board to prioritize cases of licensed landlords in Brampton and strengthen landlord rights related to tenants who break agreements of their lease, including but not limited to, subletting to other tenants and excessive past-due rent; and
2. A copy of this letter be sent to the Attorney General of Ontario and all Brampton MPPs."
Committee discussion took place with respect to the above-noted motion. An amendment was introduced, and accepted by the mover, to amend clause 1 to read as follows:
1. The Mayor, on behalf of Council write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, that asks the Landlord and Tenant Board to prioritize cases of licensed landlords in Brampton and strengthen landlord rights and find a fair balance of landlord and tenant rights related to tenants who break agreements of their lease, including but not limited to, subletting to other tenants and excessive past-due rent, and also address the backlog of cases; and
Further Committee discussion included the following:
- Pause of the RRL pilot program due to concerns raised by landlords
- Impact of the backlog at the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board
Further amendments to the motion were introduced, and accepted by the mover, to:
- delete the following paragraphs:
Whereas the City of Brampton recently launched the Residential Rental Licensing (RRL) Pilot Program to more effectively uphold local health, safety and property standards; and
Whereas, the RRL Pilot will also help collect data on the number of ARUs within Brampton; and
- further amend clause 1 to read as follows:
1. The Mayor, on behalf of Council write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, that asks the Landlord and Tenant Board and find a fair balance of landlord and tenant rights related to tenants who break agreements of their lease, including but not limited to, subletting to other tenants and excessive past-due rent, and also address the backlog of cases; and
The motion, as amended, was considered as follows.