近日，加拿大安大略省政府通過一項引發廣泛爭議的綜合法案，批評者指出，此法案將使房東更容易將租客驅逐出住宅。該法案被稱為《第60號法案》（Bill 60），亦被稱作“打擊延誤、加快建設法案”（Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act）。在皇后公園舉行的第三讀會中，該法案以71票贊成對43票反對獲得通過，過程中經歷了加速程序並限制了辯論時間。

投票期間，旁聽的公眾不斷高喊口號，如“人民應優先於利潤（people over profit）”和“羞恥（shame）”。投票結束後，議長命令清空旁聽席，現場部分民眾被帶離時大喊：“你們把人趕到街上！” 法案的主要內容包括禁止租客在房東與租客委員會（Landlord and Tenant Board）的聽證會上提出新問題，取消房東因“自住”而收回房屋時需向租客支付補償的規定，只要房東提前120天通知即可。同時，該法案還縮短了因拖欠租金而驅逐租客的等待期。

省府表示，這些變更旨在加快房東與租客委員會的處理流程。市政事務及住房廳長Rob Flack在皇后公園為法案辯護時表示，這項法案“沒有改變任何一項保護措施”，並強調其將給予房東更多信心，以促使租金下降。然而，批評者認為，法案將加速驅逐聽證，使租客更難對抗惡意驅逐，而針對租客的投訴案件並未獲得相應的處理加速。

住房倡導Diana Chan McNall在皇后公園的新聞發布會上指出：“我稱它為‘更快製造露營地法案（create encampments faster act）’，因為其本質和結果就是——讓安大略省居民無辜流落街頭。”同時，University–Rosedale選區議員Jessica Bell指出，房東與租客委員會的案件積壓問題完全由政府造成。她表示：“房東與租客委員會的嚴重延誤是進步保守黨政府造成的。他們拒絕對委員會進行適當資助，也拒絕雇用足夠勝任且公正的裁決人員。”

上週末，成千上萬的租客聚集在多倫多市中心，舉行示威遊行，抗議該法案對租客權益可能造成的影響。這起事件凸顯了安大略省在房屋政策及租客保護方面的爭議，也引發了公眾對住房可負擔性與居民權益的廣泛討論。

Recently, the government of Ontario, Canada, passed a highly controversial omnibus bill that critics argue will make it easier for landlords to evict tenants. Known as Bill 60, or the “Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act,” the legislation was approved during its third reading at Queen’s Park with 71 votes in favor and 43 against, following an accelerated process that limited debate time.

During the vote, members of the public in the gallery repeatedly shouted slogans such as “People over profit” and “Shame.” After the vote concluded, the Speaker ordered the gallery cleared, prompting some attendees to cry out, “You’re sending people onto the streets!” The bill prohibits tenants from raising new issues at Landlord and Tenant Board hearings and removes the requirement for landlords to provide compensation when reclaiming a property for personal use, as long as they give 120 days’ notice. Additionally, it shortens the waiting period for eviction due to unpaid rent.

The provincial government has argued that these changes are intended to expedite the Landlord and Tenant Board’s processes. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack defended the legislation at Queen’s Park, stating that “the bill does not remove any existing protections” and asserting that it would give landlords the confidence to rent out properties, potentially helping to lower rents. However, critics contend that the bill accelerates eviction hearings, making it more difficult for tenants to contest wrongful evictions, while offering no measures to speed up the resolution of tenant complaints against landlords.

Housing advocate Diana Chan McNally, speaking at a press conference at Queen’s Park, described the legislation as the “Create Encampments Faster Act,” arguing that its essence and likely outcome is to leave Ontario residents homeless. Jessica Bell, the Member of Provincial Parliament for University–Rosedale, similarly criticized the government, stating that the backlog at the Landlord and Tenant Board was entirely caused by the Progressive Conservative government. Bell explained, “The severe delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board are a result of the government’s refusal to properly fund the board and to hire sufficient qualified and impartial adjudicators.”

Last weekend, thousands of tenants marched through downtown Toronto to protest the bill, highlighting public concern over its potential impact on tenant rights. The passage of Bill 60 has intensified debates over housing policy in Ontario, raising questions about housing affordability, tenant protections, and the balance of power between landlords and renters.