Sub-Committee to
Restore Rent Control
Michael Walker (Chair) Blake Kinahan (Vice Chair)
August 24, 1999
To: Councillor Joanne Flint (Chair)
Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee
From: Councillor Michael Walker (Chair)
Members of the Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control
Subject: Tenant Defense Fund
______________________________________________________________________________
Origin:
Councillor Michael Walker
Purpose:
To request that the Planning and Transportation Committee endorse the Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control's
recommendation to establish a Tenant Defense Fund in principle, to assist tenants and tenant associations in opposing
unreasonable "above-guideline" rent increases.
Recommendations:
(1)that the Planning and Transportation Committee recommend to City Council, the establishment of a Tenant Defense
Fund in principle, that would provide assistance to tenants and tenant associations wishing to oppose unreasonable
"above-guideline" rent increases at the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal;
(2)that this fund be used to hire on an on-going basis;
(a)two tenant consultants/organizers who could assist tenants in effectively organizing and presenting their case at the
Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal hearings; and
(b)one construction engineer/consultant who could testify as an expert, on behalf of the tenants at Ontario Rental
Housing Tribunal hearings; and
(3)that the Planning and Transportation Committee request the appropriate city staff to develop an implementation
strategy for the Tenant Defense Fund giving consideration to:
(a)options such as hiring the required staff internally to work in the Shelter, Housing Support Division; issuing a Request
for Proposal to solicit individuals outside the corporation; or, involving the Federation of Metro Tenants' Association; and
(b)establishing a system and criteria for managing the Tenant Defense Fund, including the possibility of providing
intervenor funding to groups needing assistance.
Background:
At its meeting of August 11, 1999, the Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control had before it the attached communication
from Councillor Walker respecting the establishment of a Tenant
Defense Fund.
As the meeting did not have quorum (only seven members were present) the Sub-Committee met informally. Members
present at the meeting unanimously endorsed the motion in principle and requested the Chair to forward to the Standing
Committee the attached communication and above recommendations.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Walker,
Chair - Sub-Committee to Restore Rent Control
