Tenant Day
Saturday June 1st, 2002
Approximately 60 tenants joined us at the Rosehill Reservoir to celebrate Tenant Day. The group marched from the park up the the Toronto South Housing Tribunal, across St. Clair Avenue and down Yonge Street. City Councillor Michael Walker and NDP Housing Critic Michael Prue joined us at the Rosehill Reservoir.
Tenant Summit IV
May 4th, 2002
A group of about 50 leaders from Toronto area Tenants' Associations joined us for our fourth Tenant Summit. One of the main topics of discussion was the June 28th Divisional Court case, and the FMTA's proposed intervention (see above). The group voted overwhelmingly in favour of the FMTA pursuing the intervention.
The summit also focused on laying the groundwork for the next Provincial Election (expected to be called in the next 18 months). Participants also filled out pledge forms, pledging to come to Tenant Day, write to the Premier, and write letters to the editors of major newspapers.
Tenant Summit V will be taking place some time next fall.
FMTA demands resignation of Tribunal Chair
February 28th, 2002
Approximately 20 Federation staff, board members and supporters hand delivered a letter to Mr. Puta-Chekwe, demanding his resignation. Reporters from CFRB and the Toronto Sun covered the story.
Although Mr. Puta-Chekwe declined to tender his resignation, he agreed to met with the Federation to hear our concerns about the lack of fairness for tenants at the Housing Tribunal. This meeting took place on March 28th.
At the meeting, the chair said "NO!" to tenants: NO he will not resign, NO he will not make a public statement critical of the outcomes of the TPA, NO he will not advise the Tribunal Officers to stop allowing ridiculous and unfair permanent rent increases based on a temporary increase in fuel costs.
City of Toronto Rental Housing Forum
November 26th, 2001
The Federation sent out thousands of flyers for this event, and our volunteers made over 200 phone calls encouraging people to attend. We like to think we played a big part in achieving the overflow turn out: estimated between 500-700 people.
Outreach Team Co-ordinator Dan McIntyre spoke at the event, as did several Federation board members and volunteers.
The event got great coverage in the Toronto Star, and several other media outlets. We are now anxiously awaiting the City's report on the event, as are the many hundreds of tenants who added their names to the mailing list.