Evictions and Security of Tenure

Background

Research Question 1: What have we learned from BSH evictions research to date?  

David Wachsmuth (McGill) will lead a meta-analysis of evictions research to date by BSH researchers, partner organizations and collaborators. This project will take a quantitative approach to the research to date and work to identify agreed upon metrics and estimates of key measures (e.g., eviction filings). The meta-analysis will also include a review of common themes within recent research on evictions that the BSH has engaged in and help better understand the scope of the problem with a focus on Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.  

Research Question 2: What impact do financialized landlords have on eviction rates in Ontario?  

Nemoy Lewis (TMU) is working to categorize different types of landlords in Ontario to gain a better understanding of the role of financialized landlords in driving evictions. Teranet Land Registry and Centro Legal Works data will be used to classify landlords and identify numbered companies, based on an established typology that has been developed by Dr. Lewis. This typology has been used in past research to identify different types of financialized landlords and quantify their impact through linking to other data sources including census data and data on eviction filings.  

Research Question 3: How do evictions impact tenants in British Columbia?  

First United was provided with funding to support data collection through their BC Eviction Mapping Project on the lived experience of eviction for BC tenants. The data collection includes demographic questions, questions about the type of eviction, and whether tenants received a formal or informal eviction notice, and the impact on tenants. Preliminary findings from the study can be found here. In 2025-2028 we have also allocated $8,400/year to support this critical project. More than 1,100 BC tenants have completed the eviction survey providing critical data on what happens to tenants after they are evicted. This survey is providing important information on evictions that is not being collected anywhere else in Canada and is essential to strengthening our understanding of who is being evicted and the impact evictions have on households.  

Research Question 4: What are the rights of Indigenous tenants that face eviction?  

First United received funding to support research with a focus on developing a framework and model legislation with a focus on Indigenous housing justice. The research will help inform workshops with Indigenous tenants navigating a forced move and identify tools that can help them secure adequate housing.  

Research Question 5: How do Above Guideline Increases (AGI) to rent work in practice and how are they experienced in Ontario?  

Julie Mah (UofT) has completed a spatiotemporal analysis of AGIs between 2011 and 2021 across the province of Ontario and fine-grained analysis of select AGI buildings in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Building on this analysis her research team will complete 10-15 semi-structured qualitative interviews with stakeholders to understand how AGIs work in practice and are experienced on the ground.  

Research Question 6: How do eviction processes differ between Canada’s provincial governments?  

Alexandra Flynn (UBC) and BSH law students, Lauren Ferguson and Lillian Callendar have been working on documenting eviction processes in Canadian provinces and comparing and contrasting the extent to which they favour and protect the rights of tenants and landlords. The research also includes a review of relevant case law and tribunal decisions and identifies how legal information is collected on evictions in each jurisdiction. The comparative analysis of this information will form the basis of a law reform study. Taken together, this information will be reviewed and inform model legislation and work by our partners on the federal government’s proposed Renter Bill of Rights.