Kitchener City Council passed a rental renovation licensing bylaw after three years of debate and 24 public delegations. The bylaw is intended to curb bad-faith “renovictions” by requiring landlords to obtain municipal approval before issuing N13 notices for renovations. Council approved the bylaw in the staff-recommended form on a 5–4 vote, rejecting proposed tenant compensation payments. Council also heard updates on water capacity in the Mannheim service area, approved several heritage designations, debated controversial bookings at city-owned venues, and discussed budget pressures tied to development-charge changes.

Topics Discussed

Rental Renovation Licensing Bylaw

Council approved the rental renovation licensing bylaw following 24 delegations. Tenant advocates argued the Landlord and Tenant Board process is not protecting renters. Douglas Quan of the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario told council, “The number one issue is the move to digital hearings. This tribunal hears 80,000 applications every year… it’s very inefficient and as a result that is why there’s a backlog.”

Staff and delegates also pointed to outcomes in other municipalities. One speaker said Hamilton “reported an 80% drop in the number of rent eviction filings… 119 in 2024 compared to only 23 last year,” and added that tenant service providers reported “they’re getting fewer calls about bad faith evictions.”

Landlord representatives warned the bylaw could push small landlords out of the market and reduce rental supply. Council ultimately passed the bylaw 5–4 without adding compensation such as moving costs or rent-gap payments. The annual program cost was cited as approximately $200,000 to $500,000, described in the report as about a 0.11% tax levy impact.

Water Capacity Constraints in Mannheim Service Area

Council received an update that, as of April 1, the Region of Waterloo lifted restrictions on “essential community facilities” in the Mannheim service area, allowing projects such as schools and daycares to proceed through normal development processes. The city identified projects that could move forward, including three school additions, one new school, one school renovation, and two daycare proposals.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic linked the change to economic development, saying, “This is what the city of Kitchener means when we say we’re open for business.”

Heritage Property Designations

Council approved heritage designations and listings in Ward 10, including 87 Margaret Avenue, 304 Louisa Street, 29 Shanley Street, and 285 Simeon Street. Staff reported that no property owners objected. The designations mean owners must seek approval for certain exterior alterations and face additional limits on demolition or major changes.

Controversial Entertainment Bookings at City Venues

Delegates asked the city to cancel country musician Lee Brice’s April 25 performance at the Aud, citing his appearance at a Turning Point USA event and lyrics from his song “Country Nowadays” that they said were transphobic. Lake Trefler told council, “If being country means being transphobic I would rather country somewhere else and definitely not at a venue owned and operated by the city of Kitchener.”

Speakers also referenced the city’s earlier cancellation of comedian Ben Bankas (raised in delegations through a quoted joke) and concerns about how booking decisions align with the city’s “We All Belong Here” messaging.

Budget Pressures and Development Charges

Finance Director Lenbach warned council about the outlook for 2027, saying, “I do think it will be a challenge to bring in an inflationary budget that would have room to add significantly more within the 2027 budget. Right now, we are seeing that our assessment growth is lower than the previous year.” He added, “We believe there will be a challenging budget year that we’re moving towards.”

Council discussed the impact of provincial changes affecting development charges and approved reallocating $19 million in debt from the Upper Hidden Valley sewage pumping station to the Cowan project.

Motions

Passed: - Rental renovation licensing bylaw (passed 5–4, staff-recommended form, no tenant compensation provisions) - Heritage Kitchener report dated April 7, 2026 (including designations at 87 Margaret Ave., 304 Louisa St., 29 Shanley St., and 285 Simeon St.) - Development charges debt reallocation from Upper Hidden Valley sewage pumping station to Cowan project - Development charges bylaw from Financial and Corporate Services Committee - Settlement matter from in-camera session

Rejected: - Motion to defer the rental renovation bylaw to budget discussions - Amendment to implement the bylaw by Sept. 1, 2026 (failed for lack of seconder) - Councillor Deno amendment for tiered tenant compensation ($250 for bachelor/one-bedroom; $500 for larger units) - Councillor Chapman amendment for $1,000 flat tenant compensation

Deferred: - Councillor Stretch motions (9.2 and 9.3) on localized traffic impacts at “Victorian errands,” deferred to a special council meeting

Attendees

Present: Mayor Berry Vrbanovic; Councillors Chapman, Misho, Stretch, Singh, Deno, Davey (Chair), Schneider, Johnson, and Anitis. (A complete attendance roster was not included in the transcript.)