Toronto's Demovictions Crisis: Advocates Rally for Housing Equity

By Fred Alvarado and Dimitrije Martinovic
Fred and  Dimitrije are community journalists with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE.

On October 2, 2023, the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) organized a march from Toronto City Hall to the Ontario Parliament Buildings, with the primary goal of shedding light on the pressing issue of "Demovictions." Demoviction refers to the forced eviction of tenants due to the demolition or redevelopment of their residential buildings, and it has become a concerning trend in the city. The participants in the march sought to draw attention to the irreversible damage being done to the stock of affordable housing through mass demovictions. The event was not only an act of protest but also an effort to deliver a petition to the City of Toronto, urging them to take action to address this housing crisis.

The march commenced at Toronto City Hall, where activists, as well as members of the public, gathered for a series of speeches from representatives of FMTA and other resident groups. This mobilization was orchestrated by Megan Kee, and it garnered the support of community housing advocates, including Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Toronto Centre, Kristyn Wong-Tam. The march progressed from City Hall to Queen's Park, along University Avenue to Ontario's legislative seat, highlighting the alarming developments occurring throughout the city concerning demovictions.

As Protesters marched up University Avenue they carried signs and placards  which carried slogans like, Demoviction Leads to Homelessness, People Matter More than Profit, Say No to Developer Greed, Moratorium on Demovictions, and Affordable Housing Matters. Throughout the march they chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, housing Greed has got to go, Tenants rights are human rights, what do we want, rent control.”

Although the situation in Regent Park may not directly mirror the issue of demovictions, there are significant commonalities that speak to the broader problems associated with the push toward urban redevelopment and the imperative of preserving housing equity. These commonalities encompass:

1.  Impacts on Displacement: Both demovictions and the Regent Park revitalizations entail the displacement of existing residents. In Regent Park, residents had to be relocated during the redevelopment process, and in demovictions, tenants are forced out. The effects of displacement are felt in terms of the upheaval of communities and the welfare of affected individuals.

2.   Gentrification and Rising Property Values: Both issues are linked to the broader forces of gentrification and escalating property values. The Regent Park redevelopment aimed to transform the neighbourhood into a mixed-income community, which, as with gentrification in other areas, results in rising property values and increased rental prices.

3.  Housing Affordability: A common concern in both scenarios is housing affordability. The demolition and redevelopment of properties often lead to the construction of new, more expensive housing, making it challenging for lower-income individuals and families to find affordable housing in the area.

The march and the broader discussion surrounding demovictions serve as a rallying point for addressing these housing-related issues in Toronto. It highlights the need for policies, advocacy, and community engagement to ensure that urban development benefits all residents and preserves affordable housing options in the midst of significant changes in the city. The concerns raised by this event underscore the complex and multifaceted challenges that urban areas face as they grapple with issues of housing equity, gentrification, and redevelopment.