Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner issued the following statement, calling for an immediate ban on evictions until the COVID-19 pandemic is over:

“As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in Ontario, we must ensure everyone can comply with the directive to stay at home.

Self-isolation is impossible when you’re on the streets.

I’m calling on the Ford government to immediately issue an indefinite ban on evictions so that Ontario’s housing crisis does not exacerbate the COVID-19 crisis.

Failing to protect renters from eviction could risk undoing our efforts to flatten the curve and by driving up community spread.

Mortgage deferrals have been granted to homeowners and now we must extend the same protections to renters, many of whom are low-wage workers who are worried sick about losing the roof over the head.

After issuing a temporary suspension of eviction proceedings earlier this week, the Premier must now shut the door completely to evictions until the pandemic is over.

We must follow suit with other jurisdictions like New York, Washington, France and the UK and protect renters from eviction.

This is not just about housing security for renters, it is about giving front-line health workers the best chance of limiting infection.”

source: media release, Green Party of Ontario