On May 23, 2024, Toronto City Council overwhelmingly passed a
motion which purported to revolutionize the way commercial leasing
is handled in the City… except it had no statutory authority
to do so. Instead of changing any policy, the motion brought by
councillor Josh Matlow merely made recommendations to the
Government of Ontario. While the effort is noteworthy, the
immediate policy consequences of this resolution are
negligible.
Council's Recommendations to the Province
The COVID-19 pandemic hit small and locally owned businesses
hard, causing immense struggles for many. In response,
the Better Way Alliance has been lobbying
governments to adopt a “Renters Bill of Rights”. This
initiative aims to address the inequalities faced by small and
local renters compared to larger commercial leasers.
