On December 14, 2016 the city of Toronto voted for Landlord Licensing after a long battle between tenants and landlords.For twelve years, the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has been knocking on doors in low to moderate income neighbourhoods asking residents what issues they faced in their community.One problem quickly revealed itself to be an epidemic across the metropolitan: Toronto has a slumlord crisis. Tenants are paying high market rent to live in increasingly worsening conditions. In multi-residential buildings across the city, tenants face ongoing substandard housing issues, include: bursting old pipes (leading to repeated flooding), rising floors, caving ceilings and other water damage as well as mold which is a health hazard, among other things.Chronic infestations of cockroaches, vermin and bedbugs are another huge problem. Many buildings also have continuous elevator issues resulting in frustratingly unreasonable long wait times going up and down in the mornings and evenings. Uneven heating is also an issue during the cold winter months.ACORN, currently boasting 83,000 members, Canada-wide, has been calling for Landlord Licensing since 2008. Landlord Licensing is a cost recovery program that charges the landlord approximately $12 per unit to cover the expansion of a city run Multi Residential Apartment Building (MRAB) inspection program. MRAB was, until now, a reactive inspection program which responds to complaints made by a tenant to the city either by a direct call to the city councillor or by calling 311. Unfortunately, few renters are aware of this option and are left without enough adequate information. Some tenants even mention being afraid of repercussions from landlords if they complain.Landlord Licensing will expand to the MRAB program, in a last minute amendment from Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, Ward 38. Six more inspectors were added to the proposed addition to tackle the large task of annual proactive inspections of every building with a minimum of three stories and no less than ten units.The inspection program will be similar to the Dine Safe program, where buildings would have to maintain a set of standards and if caught in violation of these standards would have to pay a fine if the issue is not brought up to standard in the set time. Landlord Licensing will implement a grading system that will be displayed at the front of each building so prospective renters can see the buildings grade before signing the lease.This is a win/win for landlords and tenants as good landlords can boast a good grade, bringing more prospective renters and reducing vacancies. Until now, there was only a self-certification that buildings awarded themselves and is entirely meaningless, a mere advertising stunt. Certification must come from the city so that tenants can trust it has value.Many landlords have fought Landlord Licensing, claiming that there is no need and there are only a few bad apples. Extensive documented research done by ACORN and confirmed by MRAB reveal that the reality is an epidemic of substandard market housing that urgently needs to be rectified. Landlords have distributed flyers using fear tactics as a way to scare tenants to act against their own interests, leading tenants to believe Landlord Licensing would cost them money, calling it an apartment tax. Josh Matlow, City Councillor, Ward 22 has repeatedly stated that the claim is absolutely false. Matlow has been a leader in the fight to protect tenants.One of the first city councillors to join ACORN’s fight for tenants inside city hall, is Janet Davis, Ward 31, who has been a strong and diligent champion for almost one decade. Listening closely to the needs of the people, Davis has helped lay the foundation and together overcome the years of hurdles that have brought ACORN’s Landlord Licensing to this victory. “I want to applaud tenant organizations across the city who have spoken out and are demanding the city take action" said Davis, who wanted to extend her appreciation.
Holiday Eating the Healthy Way
There’s no avoiding it. There’s food everywhere you go this time of year. From holiday parties, treats at work, eating on-the-go, and not to mention all the high-calorie drinks.We tend to get so wrapped up in the festivities that we forget all about our healthy living goals. But don’t worry; there are many ways to enjoy this season without being terrified of going near a scale once it’s all over.Try these 10 tips to minimize your calories while still enjoying the festivities:1. Start with a high protein breakfast - Include peanut butter, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, which will curb your hunger and make it easier to pass on those high-calorie snacks. Skipping any meal is never a good idea, especially breakfast!2. Eat a snack before your function- If you arrive hungry, you’re more likely to overindulge.3. Fill up on lower calorie appetizers first- Choose fruits, vegetables and shrimp cocktail instead of nuts, olives and full-fat cheeses.4. Eat your calories instead of drinking them- choose no-calorie or low-calorie beverages (water, diet sodas, lite beer, or wine spritzer) and limit quantities of alcoholic beer, wine and mixed drinks; which can range between 150-300 calories per drink.5. Talk more, eat less- Don’t stand beside the buffet table with the urge to nibble constantly; focus on socializing with people instead.6. Survey the table first- Choose vegetables & salads, lean meats, and small portions of those side dishes you really love. Fill your plate with a rainbow of colors and watch out for those dense hidden calories (ie. cranberry sauce, gravy, butter, whipped cream, etc.). Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed.7. Slow it down- Give yourself 15-20 minutes to finish a plate by eating slowly and savouring the tastes and table conversations.8. Choose dessert wisely -considering that they can range from 100-1000 calories, decide which one will satisfy your sweet tooth and limit portion size.9. Get active -a brisk walk after the event will not only help burn off those calories and keep you focused on your health goals during the season, it will relieve stress too!10. Practice saying “No thank you, but everything was delicious.”Sneak in exercise whenever you can by looking for the furthest parking spot while holiday shopping and always choosing the stairs over the escalator. Family gatherings are a great time to get to know the kids better by getting on the floor and playing with them or running after them. Energy is contagious!Fine foods are one of the many pleasures of the holiday season, so allow yourself to splurge on the foods that make it meaningful in small amounts.Always remember: even if you’re not always successful at eating right, compliment yourself for trying and then get right back on track.For more information, visit www.registereddietitian.ca
Provincial Liberals Selling Off Hydro One Despite Public Opposition
Despite 80% of Ontarians being against the sale of Hydro One, the provincial Liberal government is moving ahead with its selloff to private investors.The independent Provincial Financial Accountability Office has even warned about the loss of provincial revenue that would result from the sale. The provincial ombudsman and other watchdogs have also warned against the secretive manner of the sale.Shortly after the provincial election, the Liberal government surprised the public by selling off 60% of Hydro One. To date, 30% has been sold meaning the public still currently owns the majority of shares.The sale has been a hotly debated topic at Queen's Park. This October, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath moved a motion to end any further sale of this important public asset. “We need to make crucial changes to stop the rising cost of hydro and stop the privatization that’s driving those cost increases,” said Horwath.“The priority of our hydro system shouldn’t be generating big profits for investors. It should be to provide affordable electricity that keeps people’s bills as low as possible.”The motion did not pass due to the opposition of Liberal and Conservative MPPs.Downsview residents continue to see rising hydro bills, a cost many simply cannot afford. The rising costs particularly affect properties with electrical heating for the colder months.Bibi Ali, a local Condominium Board President, represents one such property where some residents face $1000 bills during the winters. She was surprised to hear about the hydro sell-off when it started and fears that privatization will only make the situation worse."It's not fair that our hydro bills are so high," said Bibi. "The government should have asked people instead of just going ahead and selling things off."A number of organizations opposed to the selloff of Hydro One, have put together a website (www.keephydropublic.ca) with a lot of great information and opportunities to take a stand against the sale.If the government continues in its sell-off plan, the public will lose the majority say on the future of hydro. The provincial Liberal government should listen to the will of the public and stop any further sale before they make a bad situation only worse.