NDP MPP: Ford’s commercial eviction ban not being enforced puts businesses at risk

Government tells business owner threatened with eviction due to COVID-19 to 'get a lawyer'

HAMILTON — The NDP MPP for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Sandy Shaw, is asking the government how many more businesses will be forced to shutter because the Ford government is failing to enforce the ban on commercial evictions.

During question period Tuesday, Shaw said that the Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing said Winona furniture store owner Brian Sloat, who is being illegally locked out by his landlord for being unable to afford his full rent during the pandemic in April and May, should get a lawyer, because the province does not intervene in lease disputes.

"What is the point of banning commercial evictions if the Ford government refuses to enforce the rule?," Shaw asked, noting that Sloat's landlord has also refused to apply for the federal rent relief program.

"Doug Ford made a lot of noises about cracking down on bad landlords, but it's clear from stories like this that the commercial eviction ban is, in reality, completely toothless. It's shameful that the Ford government is leaving businesses devastated by the pandemic completely on their own," Shaw said.

"The NDP continues to call on Ford to give businesses direct financial support as the economy reopens."