A man has been found guilty of kidnapping a 14-year-old Toronto boy in March 2020 over a drug debt owed by the teen’s older half-brother. Samir Abdelgadir and his “associates” kidnapped the boy and held him for ransom, Superior Court Justice Sandra Nishikawa wrote in her decision Friday.

A month-long investigation by Niagara Police and OPP involving stolen vehicles, vehicle parts and tampering with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) within West Lincoln has resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old West Lincoln man.

Wednesday, investigators armed with search warrants visited two West Lincoln properties associated with the accused, and discovered multiple stolen vehicles and vehicle components that had been re-VINed to conceal their stolen status.

 As a result of the investigation police arrested 37-year-old Anthony Shintani and seized the following stolen vehicles and vehicle components:

 5 x Tandem-axle commercial trailers (cargo, dump, and enclosed)

 2 x Pickup trucks

 1 x ATV

 1 x Motorcycle

 1 x Commercial riding mower

 6 x Vehicle doors from two stolen vehicles

 Shintani faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime (4 counts), tampering with a vehicle identification number (4 counts) and fraudulent concealment (4 counts).

SHINTANI was released with a future court date. Police say the investigation continues with further charges expected to be laid.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008916.

A section of Hwy. 401 is closed Friday after a Londoner was killed in an early morning crash near Dutton-Dunwich. 

Hamilton Police have arrested an Alberta man in the shooting death of Jeff Nyhuis of Waterdown. Corey Mahoney is charged with second degree murder after Hamilton Police travelled to a small community south of Calgary to pick up Mahoney who was arrested by local RCMP.

Police were called on March 6, after a friend of Nyhuis went to his Waterdown home and found him deceased. Hamilton Police Detective David Brewster told reporters that friends of Nyhuis assisted them in identifying the suspect who had apparently been a guest in the Nyhuis residence for a few days prior to the shooting which police say took place Monday, March 3rd. Police believe Nyhuis and Mahoney were alone in the house when the shooting took place. So far a weapon has not been recovered. Nyhuis, 55, a father of two adult children, was living alone at the house in Waterdown.

The shooting death was Hamilton’s third homicide of 2025.

A man who stabbed one victim to death and wounded another during a series of random knife attacks in Ottawa's Chinatown neighbourhood four years ago received a life sentence in Ontario's Superior court on Wednesday. 

After 355 years of history, the future of the Hudson’s Bay Company is uncertain. CBC's Eli Glasner explains how we got here.

A man is facing attempted murder charges after a woman was seriously hurt in a vehicle collision March 9^th.  Just before midnight., Hamilton Police responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Beach Road and Woodleigh Avenue. When Officers arrived, they located a female with serious injuries as a result of being struck by a vehicle.  The woman was transported to hospital in serious condition.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as a 44-year-old male from Hamilton. The male was arrested Saturday March 15, 2025, at a residence in Halton Region.   The 44-year-old male from Hamilton has been charged with several offences, the most serious being attempted murder.

The man has been held for bail, and he remains in custody pending a hearing.

Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance and are asking drivers in the area at the time of the incident to check their dash cameras as well as homeowners to review any camera footage that they may mave. Homicide Detectives continue to investigate the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lindsay Filice at 905-546-2288 or [email protected]

For those who wish to provide information anonymously, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at Crime Stoppers Hamilton’s Website.

At the Leamington Council meeting of March 4, 2025, Council:

• Held a Court of Revision under the Drainage Act and confirmed the Schedule of Assessment in the engineer’s report for a new access culvert for the 8th Concession Branch of the Big Creek Drain.

• Approved a proposal to convert a single residential dwelling located at 719 Mersea Road 4, into an off-site farm worker dwelling and to establish requirements for parking, bicycle parking and loading spaces.

• Authorized installing speed humps along Bennie Avenue (Oak Street to Peter Avenue).

• Awarded the Queens, John, Albert, Baird, and Elliott Street Sewer Separation project to Sherway Contracting (Windsor) Limited for $7,308,153 plus applicable taxes.

• Awarded the Margaret, Audrey, Jane, Claire, and Sherk Street Sewer Separation project to J&J Lepera Infrastructures for $8,374,000 plus applicable taxes.

• Awarded consulting services for the Upper Pump Station upgrades at the Leamington Pollution Control Centre to Dillon Consulting Limited in the amount of $164,448 excluding HST.

• Approved entering into a service agreement for the collection and disposal of solid waste and compostable yard waste with Caldwell First Nation.

For further information, please refer to the Council agenda and minutes at leamington.ca/Meetings.

The post Leamington Council Matters — March 4, 2025 appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Employee Excellence Awards presented to outstanding county staff

The first annual Employee Excellence Awards were presented to four winners and 20 others who received honourable mentions at the start of Wednesday’s Essex County Council meeting.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such exceptional, experienced, passionate and skilled professionals here at the County of Essex,” said Warden Hilda MacDonald. “The recipients tonight hail from different departments and they have different skillsets and backgrounds, but they have one thing in common – they are exceptional employees who serve our communities, and this Council, with distinction and pride.”

Tanya Fick, a Human Resources ability and wellness specialist, received the Teamwork Award for being a “friendly face, smile and support to team members in the face of at times uncertainty and crisis.” She was praised for finding “workable solutions that are advantageous to everyone” and for working “tirelessly” to ensure team members transition back to work safely and with purpose.

Adam Jamieson, a mechanic with the Infrastructure and Planning Services department, won the Innovation Award for being the “ultimate problem solver” who remains calm and collected under pressure to find solutions that work.” He used available parts and equipment to help his team complete a job when multiple pieces of equipment broke down, saving the county time and money.

Nicholas Kramer, a labourer at the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s Materials Recovery Facility, received the Service Excellence Award. He was praised as a “dedicated and outstanding employee who consistently delivers exceptional customer service” with a “positive attitude, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond.”

Janey Murphy, a procurement officer in the Financial Services department, won the Empowerment Award for her “hard work, creativity and dedication” that empowers and inspires everyone with whom she collaborates, and for maintaining an open-door policy that “creates a welcoming and supportive environment, where team members feel safe to ask questions and seek guidance.”

Department leaders nominate team members for the awards. Then the County of Essex senior leadership team selects the winners and those who receive honourable mentions. The awards program is one of several county strategic initiatives aimed at making it an “employer with impact.”

“Thanks to the support of this Council we are building the Team Essex County envisioned in our Strategic Plan and becoming an employer of choice, where employees not only deliver value, but feel valued,” said CAO Sandra Zwiers. “Our employees are our greatest asset here at the County of Essex, they truly are. I’m honoured and humbled to be their CAO and I’m delighted we are honouring them tonight.”

Strategic Plan well integrated into county’s daily operations

The County of Essex is making steady progress on achieving the goals of its Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2027, says a report to council by CAO Sandra Zwiers.

“While we have much still to do, team members across the County have expressed positive feedback about the Strategic Plan and their ability to individually and collectively contribute to the County’s success,” says the report.

The plan’s mission states that “through meaningful partnerships, strong advocacy, and informed decision-making (the County of Essex will) deliver fair and valuable regional programs and services for our communities.”

The three strategic goals are: working as Team Essex County; growing as leaders in public service; and building a regional powerhouse. Of the action items developed in 2024, 19 have been completed, 42 are in progress and nine are ongoing.

Essex-Windsor EMS meeting growing demand while improving service

Essex-Windsor EMS is seeing a steady growth in demand while making progress in improving response times, says a report by Chief Justin Lammers.

Paramedics responded to 65,707 requests for services in 2024. The number of calls that required a prompt response decreased due to the success of the Essex-Windsor EMS Mobile Integrated Healthcare Community Paramedicine program and the work of Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team partners. However, the number of requests for paramedic service for the most urgent cases increased five per cent over 2023.

Average response times improved compared to 2023 for all levels of urgency except one, which remained the same. The total time paramedics waited more than 30 minutes to offload patients at local hospitals was less than 2023, and there was a significant drop in the total time when no ambulances were available and when three or fewer ambulances were available.

Speed limits to decrease at two intersections on county roads

Council has approved a decrease in the speed limit on County Road 46 around the intersection with County Road 19 from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.

Signs will be posted indicating the speed limit on County Road 46 from 50 metres east of Middle Road to 50 metres west of North Talbot Road is 60 km/h. County staff recommended the change after a technical review of traffic speeds and conditions at the intersection, as well as consultations with the Town of Tecumseh and Municipality of Lakeshore.

Council also approved a decrease in the speed limit from 80 km/h to 50 km/h on County Road 11 from Concession Road 3 to 50 metres north of Concession Road 4 in the Town of Essex. The change was also recommended after a technical review and consultation with the town.

New by-law consolidates rules for delegating council authority

Council passed a by-law consolidating existing rules and clarifying when and how its authority is delegated to members of Essex County’s administration, including the chief administrative officer, clerk, treasurer and county solicitor.

Lighthouse Cove golf car pilot project supported

The County of Essex is supporting a pilot project that will allow golf cars to be used on roads in Lighthouse Cove from April 1 to November 30 annually, once a licensing program is established by the Municipality of Lakeshore.

Lakeshore Council and Essex County Council have now passed by-laws allowing the golf car pilot project to proceed. The county by-law is required because one of affected streets, Tisdale Drive, is also part of County Road 39.

A major concern for the county was liability. This has been addressed in the Lakeshore by-law, which requires golf car permit holders to have a minimum of $2 million in liability insurance and to sign liability waivers.

Council opts against county-led phragmites control program

Council voted against a motion to consult with local municipalities about establishing a county-led phragmites control program. Multiple councillors had taken the issue to their respective municipalities for consideration and favoured maintaining the status quo

Council passes resolution on water agreements

Council Council passed a resolution calling on the province to confirm that current water agreements in place to ensure the protection of fresh water in our area are followed and that water outflow is included in any ongoing discussions with the U.S. government.

The resolution further called for continued support of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and for the senior levels of government to take all necessary steps so “the residents of the County of Essex can continue to maintain access to clean, fresh water.”

The post County Council Highlights for March 19, 2025 appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Roger “Brian” Taillieu;

Passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025 surrounded by his family at Erie Shores Hospice. He was 70 years old. Loving father of Steven Taillieu and daughter-in-law Jessica. Dear brother of Ron (Tracey) and Rick (Florence), Jim (Tina) Klerks and Helenne (Neil) Walker.

Uncle of Melissa, Ryan, Kevin, Mathew, Brad, Lindsey, Scott (Laura), Kari, Kate, and Laura; along with many great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, Roger and Jeanne Taillieu. Remembered by Elizabeth “Liz” Taillieu, his extended family, and beloved friends.

In his early years Brian was very athletic, playing baseball, volleyball, basketball, and running cross-country. He excelled in high school sports winning many championships.

Later in life, Brian pursued many passions outside his professional career; his true passion was for food and cooking. He loved tweaking new recipes to get the results he wanted and had collected over 200 cookbooks to inspire himself. Photography, astronomy, R/C aviation, and sailing with his family also drew attention over the course of his life.

His most proud achievements came in Lawn Bowling, which he picked up before retiring. He won his club singles tournament in 2014 and represented Canada at the World Short Mat Championships in Manchester England in 2016.

Brian’s ability to find joy in both the intricate details of his hobbies and the vastness of the universe serves as a reminder of the importance of pursuing one’s passions, no matter the stage of life.

Visitation will be held at Kendrick Funeral Home (91 Division St. S., Kingsville) on Monday, March 24, 2025 from 11:30am until the celebration of life begins at 12:30pm.

Burial will follow at Olinda-Graceland Cemetery.

Condolences and special memories can be shared with the family at www.kendrickfuneralhome.com

Service Details

Visitation

When
Monday, March 24, 2025 11:30am – 12:30pm

Location
Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville
91 Division St. S
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1P5

Get Directions: View Map

Service

When
Monday, March 24, 2025 12:30pm

Location
Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville
91 Division St. S
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1P5

Get Directions: View Map

Interment

When
Monday, March 24, 2025

Location
Olinda-Graceland Cemetery
Rd 5 E & Olinda Side Road
Ruthven, Ontario N0P 2G0

Get Directions: View Map 

.

The post Brian Taillieu (October 30, 1954 – March 20, 2025) appeared first on Kingsville Times.

CBC Hamilton wants to hear from voters across Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara about what matters to you this federal election. Let us know by filling out our form.

Experienced team will deliver on historic mandate from the people to protect Ontario’s economy and workers

On March 19, 2025, Premier Doug Ford unveiled his cabinet with an experienced team that will deliver on the government’s mandate to do whatever is necessary to protect Ontario in the face of tariffs from the United States, while building a stronger, more competitive and resilient economy.

The post Premier Doug Ford Unveils Cabinet to Protect Ontario appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Tim Byrne, CAO of the Essex Region Conservation Authority and Executive Director of the Essex Region Conservation Foundation, has been honoured by Chris Lewis, Member of Parliament for the riding of Essex, with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

The Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. With only 30,000 medals awarded across the entire country, recipients were determined based on having made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to extend my most heartfelt congratulations to Tim on this significant honour,” said ERCA Chair Molly Allaire. “We appreciate MP Lewis for recognizing Tim’s nearly four decades of dedication to protecting our local watershed and celebrating his invaluable contributions to our community in this meaningful way.”

“I am deeply humbled by this incredible honour,” Byrne said. “Serving the Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island community for nearly 40 years has been a true privilege, and I am most thankful to MP Lewis for this opportunity to stand alongside such distinguished recipients.”

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by the Province of Ontario and governed by local municipalities. For more than 50 years, it has delivered programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario.

The post ERCA CAO Honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal appeared first on Kingsville Times.

The Municipality of Leamington is inviting community members to nominate outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations for the fourth annual Mayor’s Recognition Awards—a program that honours those who have made significant contributions to the community.

The Mayor’s Recognition Awards celebrate excellence in various aspects of community life, from athletics and innovation to volunteerism and youth leadership. The awards recognize those who have gone above and beyond to make Leamington a great place to live.

“Leamington is home to so many remarkable people who give their time, talents, and passion to make a difference,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those who lead by example, inspire others, and help shape the community we all cherish.”

The awards will be presented in the following categories for contributions made in 2024:

• Athletics Award
• Outstanding Youth Award
• Innovation Award
• Distinguished Volunteer Service Award
• Community Inspiration Award
• Mayor’s Special Award

Recipients will be selected by the Mayor’s Recognition Awards Committee, except for the Mayor’s Special Award, which is personally chosen by Mayor MacDonald.

Honourees will be celebrated at a special Council meeting this spring, where their achievements will be formally recognized.

The nomination period is open from March 19 to April 23, 2025. Community members are encouraged to visit leamington.ca/Awards to learn more and submit nominations.

The post Leamington Seeks Nominations For Annual Mayor’s Recognition Awards appeared first on Kingsville Times.

The London Police Service says it's still finalizing details on its strategy to tackle public drug use on city streets and Londoners will learn more about it in the coming weeks. 

An 18-year-old woman is speaking out after she says she was secretly filmed in a London, Ont., shopping mall. The exchange was posted to the social media feeds of a man whose viral videos seemingly celebrate men rejecting women. 

Southwestern Ontario's commercial fishing industry is feeling the pressure of looming U.S. tariffs expected April 2 on all Canadian goods as vast majority of fish caught in Lake Erie is exported stateside.

As the region faces a measles outbreak, Dr. Adelle Chang On has stepped in as the Grand Erie Public Health's new acting medical officer of health.

St. Felix Centre is set to open a 31-unit apartment this spring. The building will help support women and children who are homeless.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is locked in a court battle to compel social media site Reddit to turn over identifying information of a user who it alleges has been defaming staff at a local elementary school.

Documents obtained by CBC show the WI4 was off its regular route when it's believed to have struck bottom, tearing a hole in its hull. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation has offered little information to explain why that happened.

The next federal election has yet to be called, but many candidates in the Ottawa region have already spent months door-knocking — taking advantage of the recent provincial race. 

THE GREEN LINE
ORIGINAL STORY

How to set up a PWYC market: Tips from Moss Park’s unique model

The Green Line team visited Moss Park Market to learn how its pay-what-you-can model helps locals afford healthy, good-quality food.

Ella Lightstone, food programs manager at Moss Park Market, stands in front of the shipping container at 260 Queen St. E. where the market is held every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.

Amanda Seraphina James Rajakumar

Indian immigrant with a post-grad in journalism from Centennial College. Now living in Grange Park, meeting new people, and hearing different stories. Has four names, so it’s a pick-your-player situation.

 

March 21, 2025

SETTING UP A MARKET 101

• Define your market area. By creating a catchment area for the market, it ensures that high-quality food reaches those in need in the neighbourhood, and supply doesn’t run out.
• Acquire a space in the neighbourhood that’s accessible for all residents.
• Apply for government grants, get donations from residents and set up a pay-what-you-can model at the market.
• Partner with food organizations for fresh produce. Moss Park Market uses its own community garden and also partners with Second Harvest, FoodShare, Bondi Produce, Broadfork, Not Far From the Tree and Metropolitan Urban Rooftop Farm.
• Build community through fun initiatives such as “Coffee and Conversations.” In the summertime, Moss Park Market also plays music and provides games outside for residents.

Buying groceries isn’t cheap.

You can walk into a grocery store with $10 and walk out with just milk and eggs — but, that’s not enough for a healthy meal.

So, one innovative market in Moss Park is helping residents eat well and affordably through its unique market model.

Moss Park, which locals call “crunchy” — meaning rough or “a little pocket with high need” — is lined with shelters, social services and social housing. The City of Toronto’s latest census shows that the downtown Toronto neighbourhood has a higher percentage of low-income earners compared to the rest of the city.

A map of Moss Park showing all the shelters, social services and social housing in the neighbourhood.
: Paul Zwambag for The Green Line.

So, how do residents buy groceries that fit their budget? One way is through the Moss Park Market. Run by social venture Building Roots, the market has a unique pay-what-you-can model. Unlike food banks, which hand out a select bag of groceries, the market allows residents to pick produce that they like and pay what's possible.

Moss Park Market, located at 260 Queen St. E., is a pay-what-you-can market set up inside a shipping container.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.

Chris Little, who works in Moss Park says, “I can't afford [groceries] and it's crazy, really. I mean, the basic, unprocessed food is very expensive, and that's the healthiest [kind that] you want to eat, [but] it's out of affordability for most people, I think, especially around this neighbourhood.”

Meanwhile, Moss Park resident Julio Naval Baron adds, “What I complain about is mostly the prices. Everything is going up, up. Then, the next day you go to the supermarket and you realize the prices have gone up again — and it's crazy.”

Ella Lightstone, food programs manager at Moss Park Market, says the neighbourhood is small, diverse and has a high need.

The market is a focal point in the neighbourhood, she adds, saying that people stop by throughout the day, whether it’s to get a sandwich, access harm reduction supplies or just warm up.

"Food security is what I do, but Building Roots supports the community in other ways as well. The market is like the thing — it's big, it's busy, it's exciting,” she explains. “But the other things, like those quiet and caring moments that we have every single week, are more important.”

Volunteers create fruit and vegetable baskets inside Moss Park Market, which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.

The market's catchment area is specifically Moss Park. First-time visitors are asked to sign up with their name and address to get a membership card, which allows residents to shop. The market ensures locals have access to fresh and healthy food through produce that comes from their own community garden and partner organizations.

Set up in spring 2024, the Moss Park Community Garden offers fresh produce for the Moss Park Market.
: Building Roots.

Muhammad Ahsen Bhatti, a volunteer who’s been a part of the Moss Park Market for four years, says prices for groceries have gone up across the board, and having access to high quality daily essentials is important for people to function. “People can't go about their daily lives. They can't work, they can't go to school or anything if they aren't able to be healthy and lead healthy lives,” he explains.

Bhatti adds that two of the biggest problems Moss Park residents face when it comes to groceries are rising costs and a lack of time to cook a healthy meal. In response, the market also provides meals by setting up a table called “Coffee and Conversations,” where residents are served coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and more.

Volunteers at Moss Park Market set up the “Coffee and Conversations” table outside the market at Queen Street East and Ontario Street.
: Amartya Smaran/ The Green Line.

Eight years ago, a dozen eggs in Ontario cost under $3; today, that same dozen costs nearly $5, according to Statistics Canada.

A report by CivicAction and Boston Consulting Group released this month shows that 51 per cent of new food bank users come from households with at least one person employed, suggesting that food insecurity impacts everyone, not just the jobless.

Graphic showing the increase in cost of a dozen eggs in Ontario over the past eight years, according to Statistics Canada.
: Paul Zwambag for The Green Line.

The Moss Park Market currently runs on earnings from the market, donations from residents and government grants. But Lightstone says community funding would be the most sustainable way of running it in the long term.

She also wants the market to offer economic opportunities for residents by providing a space where they can sell their own crafts and food.

Signs on Moss Park Market’s front door that help residents understand how the market functions.
: Amanda Seraphina/The Green Line.

Fact-Check Yourself

Sources and
further reading

Don't take our word for it —
check our sources for yourself.

Building Roots

About Moss Park Market

City of Toronto

2021 Neighbourhood Profile: Moss Park

Statistics Canada

Monthly average retail price for selected products

CivicAction and BCG

2025: Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Housing Crisis: Hidden costs, bold solutions

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The post How to set up a PWYC market: Tips from Moss Park’s unique model appeared first on The Green Line.

Many Tesla owners who were once proud to own the electric vehicle are reportedly now embarrassed to be associated with the brand as public furor against the company and its CEO, billionaire Elon Musk, gains momentum.

Hundreds of nurses rallied outside several Ontario hospitals on Thursday to demand that CEOs improve patient care by implementing safe staffing levels across the province.

Toronto police say their homicide unit is investigating after a man was found dead on the University of Toronto campus.

THE GREEN LINE
DOCUMENTERS NOTES

how this city councillor wants to close a ‘loophole’ to protect tenants facing demovictions

The Planning and Housing Committee met on March 18 at City Hall to discuss Councillor Diane Saxe’s motion on new protections for dwelling room tenants facing the threat of demoviction.

The owner of 262-266 St. George St. plans to replace 39 dwelling room units with 12 bachelor rental units and a one-bedroom rental unit.
: Bob Krawczyk/Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.

Sebastian Tansil

Caring mastermind based in Kensington-Chinatown who loves spending quality time with friends and family. Empathetic and precise economist by training. Loves amber yellow as it reminds him of people dearest to him.

March 19, 2025

These city meeting notes are part of Documenters Canada. Learn more about our program here. 

The City of Toronto is considering tougher regulations to protect dwelling room tenants in multi-tenant housing.

The Planning and Housing Committee met on March 18 at City Hall to discuss Coun. Dianne Saxe’s motion to introduce new protections for dwelling room tenants who face evictions due to demolitions or renovations.

A dwelling room tenant is someone who rents a room in a multi-tenant building with four or more rooms, where tenants may share a kitchen and/or bathrooms, but don’t live together as a single housekeeping unit.

Coun. Saxe sent a letter to the committee calling out a "loophole" in policies adopted back in 2019, which ensure that the city rejects developments that result in the loss of six or more dwelling rooms unless they are replaced with rental units — but not necessarily dwelling room units — over the same total area.

Coun. Saxe said that the owner’s obligation to preserve the same residential gross floor area instead of the same number of units caused those demovicted from dwelling rooms to lose their guaranteed right of return.

Saxe gave the example of 39 dwelling room tenants at 262-266 St. George St. While the new building will contain 30 bachelor units, the property owner is proposing only 12 bachelor units and a one-bedroom unit to be set aside as replacement units for the dwelling room tenants. Since only these 13 replacement units will be available at comparable rents to the current dwelling rooms, it will leave 26 of the dwelling room tenants unlikely to be able to afford units in the new building and with no right to return to their homes, Saxe said in her letter.

Corbin Sparks, a representative from the Federation of Metro Tenants' Association (FMTA) who works directly with people in unlicensed multi-tenant homes, said he supports Coun. Saxe’s motion, stating “tenants need this amendment in place now or as soon as possible.” He said the biggest challenge facing dwelling room tenants is a lack of affordable housing. Many dwelling room tenants, including folks at 7 Brenton St. in Scarborough are facing an eviction at the end of this month due to needed renovations. The landlord is offering them only one month’s worth of rent. Sparks said these tenants “told me personally…that they can’t find anywhere else affordable to live in the city” — and as a result, are on the brink of homelessness. Sparks also called on the committee to retroactively apply the amendment to dwelling room tenants who are facing the threat of demolition right now “to ensure they have a home to return to.”

Yaroslava Avila Montenegro, the executive director of FMTA , said dwelling room tenants are among the most vulnerable in the city and called the proposal a “step forward in the right direction.” Montenegro called on city planning to update its Tenant Relocation and Assistance policy to require developers to provide all displaced dwelling room tenants with replacement units or comparable housing at similar rents — retroactive to the implementation of the multi-tenant housing bylaw. This would protect tenants like the ones at 262-266 St. George St. Montenegro also called on the city to enhance performance reporting by annually tracking how many tenants have been able to move into replacement units or move back into their units after a renovation or demolition.

Coun. Gord Perks, who is also chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, asked what other policies and tools the city has to support renovicted dwelling room tenants. Doug Rollins, director of Housing Stability Services for the City of Toronto, said that the city has increased funding to existing partners such as the FMTA, the Center for Housing Rights, and invested in a $3 million fund for 2025 to support landlords who need to maintain or do repairs on multi-tenant homes.

As chair, Perks had the last words on the subject and didn’t mince them: “It continues to really grind my bones that we still don't have the kind of protections, the kind of guarantee of tenure that you would expect in…a fair and decent society here in Ontario. And largely that's because the two places where those decisions are ultimately made are [the] Landlord Tenant Tribunal [Board] and the Ontario Land Tribunal, both of which are entities controlled by and appointed by the province of Ontario.”

“I don't know what their animus is against people who don't have high incomes and people who don't own their own property but the animus is certainly there and it particularly shows up with people in [with] really low incomes who live in dwelling rooms,” Perks added.

What were the outcomes of the discussions? 

The Planning and Housing Committee passed a motion for City Council to direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning in consultation with the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat to report back to the committee by the first quarter of 2026 on whether to require those demolishing six or more dwelling rooms to provide replacement units for all their demovicted tenants.

Fact-Check Yourself

Sources and
further reading

Don't take our word for it —
check our sources for yourself.

City of Toronto

Replacement Units for Demovicted Dwelling Room Tenants

CITY OF TORONTO

Multi-tenant rooming houses

City of Toronto

Letter from Councillor Saxe - Replacement units for demovicted dwelling room tenants

No demovictions

Tenant Relocation and Assistance Plan

CITY OF TORONTO

Multi-tenant rooming houses

City of Toronto

Addressing the loss of dwelling rooms

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The post How this city councillor wants to close a ‘loophole’ to protect tenants facing demovictions appeared first on The Green Line.

Marcie McIlveen hated health care after negative experiences in treatment programs. Now, she’s spearheading a pilot at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton where people who’ve experienced addiction offer peer support to patients.

Artificial intelligence has made the grandparent scam, where fraudsters pretend to be a loved one in trouble, that much trickier. Now, scammers can clone the voice of your family members and use it to get you to open up your wallet.

Since authoring a classic Olympic bronze-medal winning underdog story, Canada's Eleanor Harvey’s follow-up season has cemented her as a legitimate contender on the international fencing circuit. The 30-year-old has claimed four medals in five competitions, including Canada’s first World Cup gold.

Ottawa has so far been spared from the largest measles outbreak in 30 years, which has affected other areas of the province and the country. The city's top doctor credits the capital's high vaccination rate — but warns against complacency.