Evictions and Security of Tenure

Background

Evictions and housing financialization are increasingly recognized as key threats to tenant security, yet their impacts vary significantly across provinces and existing research remains fragmented. This project synthesizes prior and ongoing research to strengthen understanding of eviction dynamics in Canada.

Methodology

The project is organized around six research questions.

First, what has BSH evictions research found to date? David Wachsmuth (McGill) leads a meta-analysis of BSH evictions research, taking a quantitative approach to identify agreed-upon metrics and estimates (such as eviction filings), review common themes, and clarify the scope of the problem with a focus on Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Second, what impact do financialized landlords have on eviction rates in Ontario? Nemoy Lewis (TMU) is categorizing landlord types in Ontario using Teranet Land Registry and Centro Legal Works data, applying an established typology to identify numbered companies and financialized landlords and link them to census and eviction-filing data.

Third, how do evictions affect tenants in British Columbia? First United received funding to support data collection through its BC Eviction Mapping Project on tenants’ lived experience of eviction, including the type of eviction, whether tenants received a formal or informal notice, and the impact on tenants. More than 1,100 BC tenants have completed the survey to date, providing eviction data not collected elsewhere in Canada; $8,400 per year has been allocated to this project through 2025-2028.

Fourth, what are the rights of Indigenous tenants facing eviction? First United received funding to develop a framework and model legislation focused on Indigenous housing justice, informing workshops with Indigenous tenants navigating forced moves.

Fifth, how do Above Guideline Increases (AGIs) to rent work in practice in Ontario? Julie Mah (UofT) has completed a spatiotemporal analysis of AGIs between 2011 and 2021 across Ontario, with fine-grained analysis of select AGI buildings in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and is conducting 10-15 semi-structured qualitative interviews with stakeholders to understand how AGIs are experienced on the ground.

Sixth, how do eviction processes differ across Canadian provinces? Alexandra Flynn (UBC) and BSH law students Lauren Ferguson and Lillian Callendar are documenting eviction processes across provinces, comparing the extent to which they protect tenant and landlord rights, and reviewing relevant case law and tribunal decisions. This comparative analysis will inform a law reform study and model legislation, and will contribute to partner work on the federal government’s proposed Renter Bill of Rights.

Results

This project has produced a growing evidence base on evictions and security of tenure across Canada, including a forthcoming book, policy reports, blog posts, journal articles, podcast episodes, and research webinars. These outputs offer new insight into how eviction patterns vary across provinces, how financialized landlords influence eviction dynamics, and how eviction processes and tenant protections differ across legal and policy frameworks.