Tenant Union Occupies Building Over Alleged Wrongful Eviction

Hundreds of tenants and supporters from the Toronto Tenant Union occupied a west-end apartment building on Monday after a resident was allegedly wrongfully evicted.

A woman living at 2777 Kipling received a visit from a Court Enforcement Office Sheriff at 3 p.m. and was locked out of her apartment. The tenant claims she received no notice from the landlord or the Landlord and Tenant Board about arrears, a hearing, or an eviction order.

TTU Co-Chair Bruno Doprusin told Now Toronto the occupation was organized to pressure the landlord to reinstate the tenancy. According to the union, a ledger provided at the time of eviction stated the tenant owed money, but the Toronto Tenant Union alleges these charges were associated with other units and wrongfully attributed to her account. When the tenant raised the issue with building management, she was allegedly shut down.

After being evicted, the tenant contacted the union and occupied the building management office to resolve the situation. Supporters filled the office from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Tuesday, when police removed them.

Doprusin said the occupation aimed to highlight the broader issue. In Ontario, tenants can only be evicted under specific circumstances and must receive written notice from their landlord through the Landlord and Tenant Board, which must explain the reason. Landlords cannot carry out an eviction until approved by the board, and tenants have the right to a hearing to defend themselves. With Toronto rents high and vacancy turnover allowing landlords to charge new market rates once a unit is emptied, tenant groups warn that eviction disputes carry consequences far beyond a single household.