A Toronto Community Is Calling For Another Eviction Ban As Ontario's COVID-19 Cases Rise

Members of the York South-Weston community in Toronto marched today in an effort to show solidarity and demand another eviction ban for Toronto tenants and Ontario at large.

The York South-Weston Tenant Union organized the event, which saw a few dozen people march along Weston Road while holding signs and giving speeches about the importance of stopping evictions while COVID-19 cases rise in the province.

According to event organizers, the community has seen above-average numbers of COVID-19 cases and evictions.

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The only thing we have left to do is protect each other, and organize to protect each other. Chiara Padovani

Speaking to Narcity over the phone, Chiara Padovani, a member of the union, said that the York South-Weston community has been hit hard by both COVID-19 and evictions.

"Winter is coming. There's no justification for throwing anyone out in this pandemic under these circumstances," Padovani said.

"Tenants can't lock down if they're locked out," she said.

Ontario stopped issuing new eviction orders and froze all existing orders back on March 17, during the pandemic's first wave.

However, that pause expired on August 1, and evictions have continued since then.

Attendees at the rally held signs that read "No COVID evictions" and reportedly chanted "Not now, not later, you won't evict our neighbours!"

The York South-Weston Tenant Union is asking community members who live in Weston and want to participate in the organizing effort to visit their website and get in touch.*

"When we can't rely on our government to do the right thing, it's our neighbours who are stepping up and doing the right thing," said Padovani. "That's what this rally is about."

*This article has been updated.