Niagara Falls MPP said ‘renovictions’ are forcing seniors into motels

Niagara Parks MPP Wayne Gates is calling upon the Provincial government to bring in rent control so that seniors don’t get forced out of their apartments.

Gates, who also represents Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie, says seniors are being pushed out of their long-time apartments through renovictions – a process where landlords evict tenants so they can go ahead with renovations that will increase the market value of their apartment.

“We have seniors who are being renovicted,” said Gate in a passionate speech at Queen’s Park. “They end up living in hotel rooms on Lundy’s Lane, one bedroom apartments when they’ve given their entire lives to this province.”

Gates noted that residents enjoy the quality of life they have through the efforts of “my parents and their parents and their grandparents” and that seniors have earned better treatment.

He suggested that due to lack of government support, seniors are having to choose between paying rent or having groceries.

We talk about rent or rent control, Gates continued, “It’s what we need to take care of our seniors, our veterans, our young families, our new Canadians.”

Housing is becoming unaffordable and unattainable in Niagara, and across Ontario.

Yesterday, we put forward common-sense solutions for soaring rent costs.

Unfortunately, Doug Ford and the PCs said no.

I am going to continue to tackle the affordability crisis. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/BEe9puot2U

— Wayne Gates (@Wayne_Gates) April 25, 2023