By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-31, City: Kitchener, View Transcript
The Finance Committee held a lengthy meeting focused primarily on tenant protections during building renovations. After hearing from numerous residents facing displacement, council passed a rental renovation licensing bylaw requiring landlords to obtain permits before evicting tenants for renovations. The committee also reviewed improvements to business permitting processes and advisory committee governance.
The committee approved a new bylaw requiring landlords to obtain a municipal license before issuing N13 eviction notices (evictions for renovations). The bylaw requires:
The program will require 2-3 new city staff positions, including a licensing administrator, licensing inspector, and tenant support liaison. Staff noted the program will not operate on a cost recovery model and will have a 1% tax levy impact for 2 FTEs in the 2027 budget.
Implementation is targeted for July-September 2027, with staff citing the need for "system modifications, administrative organization, recruitment and training of staff, followed by an education and awareness campaign." The fall 2026 municipal election creates resource constraints as licensing staff are "heavily involved in triaging customer inquiries" related to voters' lists.
Multiple residents testified about displacement experiences. Emanuel Melo described his building where "7 out of 15 units have been vacated" and vacated apartments are being converted from family units to dorm-style rooms to "triple the rent." Linda Voss testified about 250 Frederick Street, where 62 of 108 units received N13 notices, with "31 tenants left due to fear alone" before hearings. The case has been ongoing for over a year and a half.
Councilor Chapman proposed an amendment to add compensation provisions matching Waterloo's bylaw, including rent gap payments and moving costs. This amendment was deferred to full council. Councilor Schneider moved to defer the entire matter to the 2027 budget, arguing it falls outside municipal jurisdiction and creates budget pressures. The deferral motion failed, and the main bylaw passed 5-3.
Staff warned that additional compensation provisions "may be challenged" as potentially outside municipal jurisdiction, though similar bylaws in Waterloo, Hamilton, and Toronto have not yet been legally challenged.
Councilor Chapman raised concerns that property owners are circumventing lodging house licensing requirements by converting lodging houses into duplexes and triplexes, which don't require the same licensing and oversight. This is reducing "deeply affordable housing" options in the city.
Ms. Vanderel explained that the program's primary intent—ensuring "safe and adequate housing"—is still being met regardless of property type, noting "whether they legalize the property as a duplex or triplex, it's still meeting the intent of safe and adequate housing." Property owners can now choose the legalization path that "best suits their property and their needs" following recent city changes that expanded where lodging houses can operate and removed distance restrictions.
The city completed 42 of 50 action items from a lean review aimed at simplifying business permit processes. Key improvements include:
The materials will be available at the main service center, small business center, and downloadable from the city website. The downtown team and business development team will provide dedicated staff assistance for new business openings.
Staff presented Phase One of a multi-year review of the advisory committee system, identifying problems with role confusion, inconsistent processes, and participation barriers. Immediate improvements include updated terms of reference, policy amendments addressing composition and attendance, earlier engagement in project cycles, and stronger onboarding.
Mayor Benovich expressed "serious reservations about moving away from a strong model of advisory committees and engagement," particularly highlighting the elimination of citizen and council co-chairs as problematic. Staff clarified that except for Compass Kitchener and Heritage Kitchener, committee recommendations do not go directly to council—staff liaisons must prepare reports expressing the committee's discussion.
Council approved restrictions on using city resources for campaigning. Council members cannot use city-owned computers, phones, or devices for campaign activities, even if a city-owned phone contains a personal SIM card. A 60-day blackout period before voting day (starting May 1st) restricts staff support for council events, though regular council business support continues.
Passed: - Rental Renovation Licensing Bylaw (5-3) - Business Permitting Streamlining Initiative (unanimous) - Campaign Resource Use Policy (unanimous) - Advisory Committee Modernization Phase One (unanimous)
Deferred: - Amendment to Rental Renovation Licensing Bylaw adding compensation provisions (deferred to full council)
Rejected: - Motion to defer Rental Renovation Licensing Bylaw to 2027 budget (failed on tie vote or narrow margin)
Present: Mayor Benovich, Councilor Chapman, Councilor Deno, Councilor Johnson, Councilor Schneider, Councilor Singh, Councilor Stretch, Councilor Nitus, Councilor Chave
Note: Two councillors (Singh and Stretch) declared conflicts of interest on the renovation bylaw item.