On May 1, 2023, tenants at 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park Drive in Toronto went on a rent strike to protest above guideline rental increases (AGIs) to their rent that will force them out of their homes.
The landlord, PSP Investments, a Canadian crown corporation that manages pension funds for federal public service workers and others, and its partner Starlight Investments, are seeking rent increases of 4.2% in 2022 and 5% or more for 2023.
Starlight Investments is the largest private landlord in Canada. It is a privately held real estate investment and asset management company, which manages 61,000 units in Canada, valued at $19 billion. Starlight has applied for more above guideline rent increases than any other landlord in Toronto and was one of the top evictors during the pandemic.
Tenants have organized to fight this injustice and are using their collective power to demand Starlight and PSP withdraw their AGI applications. PSAC Ontario stands in solidarity with the tenants and supports their demands and strike action.
These rent increases will displace many from their homes, as they are on fixed incomes. You can learn more at: https://www.pspdisplacestenants.com/
If you are able to support these tenants in their rent strike, please consider donating to their GoFundMe at: Thorncliffe Park Tenants Rent Strike Fund
In Solidarity,
Craig Reynolds,
PSAC Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President