Understanding the Impacts of Bill 60 on Health and Well-Being in Toronto

The proposed provincial changes could lead to more evictions and housing instability for renters. Toronto Public Health has previously identified housing as a key social determinant of health, and less stability for renters could threaten our progress on improving key health indicators. The province has said they are stepping back from earlier proposals to change security of tenure and rent control, because "now is not the time". It is important we understand the potential health impacts of those proposals, so that we can ensure that it is never the time for those changes. This letter asks the Medical Officer of Health to review Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, and provincial proposals to change security of tenure and rent control, and to work with Toronto Shelter and Support Services and Housing Secretariat on providing analysis of some of these potential health impacts to City Council. This information will support an informed conversation by Toronto City Council about the impacts of Bill 60 and what changes to security of tenure and rent control would mean for Torontonians.

2. Recommends City Council express its opposition to Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, and proposals to change security and rent control, because of the important role of stable housing as a social determinant of health.