On Monday, hundreds of people gathered outside the Ontario legislature to protest a new bill they say will make it easier for landlords to evict tenants when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
The large group of protesters then descended on Mayor Tory’s building, which is located near Bloor Street and Bedford Road, to continue voicing their concerns over provincial Bill 184 – the Protecting Tenants and Strengthening Community Housing Act.
READ: Premier Doug Ford Suspends all Evictions as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
Once there, demonstrators began clashing with police at the entrance of the building. The scene quickly escalated.
Videos of the protest, which were shared across Twitter, appear to show one woman attempting to climb up a structure outside the building while being pulled down by police. Other videos capture some protestors trying to force their way inside the building.
Protesters were attempting to deliver an ‘eviction notice’ to Tory, criticizing the mayor for what they say is a lack of support for renters and tenants in the city.
Residential evictions were temporarily put on hold in the province during the COVID-19 pandemic but some tenant advocates have voiced concern that Bill 184, which was granted third reading in the Ontario legislature yesterday, could make it easier for landlords to evict tenants once COVID-19 restrictions ease.
