Councillor Matlow Joins Tenant Advocates to call for Remedial Action in Response to Ombudsman’s Multi-Tenant Housing Investigation

Colour-Coded Apartment Rating System Approved in 20-3 Vote this Week

Toronto – Colour-coded RentSafe signs were approved yesterday afternoon by Council in a 20-3 vote. Other motions to increase fines and strengthen enforcement measures were approved unanimously. Together, these initiatives are the most significant step Council has taken to protect tenants since the RentSafe program was first introduced in 2017.

Starting next year, the City will require landlords to post signs on apartment buildings related to property standards violations. Based on the City’s successful DineSafe program, the new rating system will see apartments post a red sign for serious health and safety violations, yellow for more minor infractions, and green for most buildings that are in good repair. The motion from Councillor Josh Matlow and Mayor Chow also directs Municipal Licensing staff to provide greater weighting in City audits to serious infractions including pests, mold, and inoperable appliances, as well as a new mechanism for fines that will allow higher monetary amounts and will be harder for landlords to challenge.

Yesterday's approval was the result of an organized campaign by tenant organizations from across the city including ACORN, the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, York South Weston Tenants Union, NoDemovictions, and many local tenant associations, which included canvassing, online petitions, and direct advocacy to Councillors.

“Council sent a clear message to landlords today that they will be held accountable for not providing renters with clean, safe, and healthy homes. If there are cockroaches or mold in your apartment the City will stick a red sign in the window until it’s fixed.” - Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto-St. Paul’s.

“This is a huge victory for tenants across the City of Toronto. As we roll out colour-coded signage next year, it will send a clear message that as a City we are committed to strengthening RentSafeTO and implementing enforcement measures to ensure our rental housing is safe, livable, and well maintained." - Councillor Chris Moise, Toronto Centre and Chair, Board of Health

Media Contact

Sebastien Gibson
Senior Advisor, Councillor Josh Matlow
[email protected]
437 318 4021

 TORONTO - Ahead of the City’s General Governance Committee meeting today, Councillor Matlow was joined by the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association to announce a campaign to create Ontario's first burn care centre in a heritage firehall on Eglinton Ave. 

Modelled after the Home Away Centre in Vancouver and similar to Ronald McDonald houses, it will be a place for parents, families and burn survivors to have a home away from home while they are receiving treatment at Sunnybrook or The Hospital for Sick Children. The centre will feature individual units for survivors and their families from across the province so that they can stay together with the comforts of home and easy access to the hospital. 

"Toronto is home to some of the best burn units in the country, yet Ontario has never had a dedicated support centre for burn survivors and their families—until now. This new Burn Survivor Family Support Centre will provide compassionate, life-changing care for burn victims and their loved ones. I’m proud to work alongside the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association to bring this vital program to life, right here in our city." said Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto St - Paul’s.

Developed in partnership with Toronto Fire Fighters Charities Inc., the charitable arm of the Toronto Professional Firefighters Association, this centre will also host a firefighter heritage museum on the ground floor. 

“Working with Toronto city council, firefighters are launching a Burn Survivor Family Support Centre, offering families a place to stay while loved ones receive treatment in hospital. The Centre will provide not just accommodations, but a community of support from others facing similar challenges. Funded by firefighter-led fundraising, this initiative ensures families have a safe, compassionate space during difficult times. Firefighters know the pain burn injuries cause — this is one way they can help beyond the fire scene. The space will also contain a museum run by the Toronto Firefighters Historical Society displaying antique fire apparatus and equipment.” said Mike Smith, Executive Board Officer, Toronto Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

The City-owned building at 641 Eglinton Avenue West is a former fire hall built in 1932, and most recently was used by Metrolinx in the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown project. In December 2024, Councillor Matlow moved a motion to explore re-imagining the future use of this space as a burn survivor centre and heritage museum. 

The total costs of this centre are projected at $12 million, which includes $8 million for base building rehabilitation and $4 million for programmatic interior development. Bringing this project to life requires support and investment from all levels of government. 

Media Contacts:               
Sarah Mattacchione
Advisor, Councillor Josh Matlow   
[email protected]
647 869 1990     

Sebastien Gibson
Senior Advisor, Councillor Josh Matlow
[email protected]
437 318 4021