Ontario pauses residential evictions but NDP says move still leaves people vulnerable

The provincial government has temporarily paused residential evictions for the duration of the state of emergency.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, says the pause will ensure people can stay safely at home.

The Landlord and Tenant Board will continue to hear eviction applications and issue orders, but enforcement will only occur in urgent situations, such as for illegal activity.

This is the second time the province has paused residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NDP’s tenant rights critic Suze Morrison says the order still leaves people vulnerable to evictions during the pandemic.

“Thousands of people in Ontario are at risk of being thrown out of their homes, through no fault of their own, after losing income this year because of COVID-19. Calling off the sheriffs at the eleventh hour from enforcing evictions that have already been ordered will not keep folks housed and safe,” said Morrison.

She also criticized broad exceptions that will still allow eviction enforcement to continue and is calling on the government to put a moratorium on all eviction notices, hearings and orders.