Controversial housing bill set for final approval at Queen’s Park.

A wide-ranging housing bill that includes several changes to the Landlord and Tenant Board has passed second reading at Queen’s Park.

Opponents worry Bill 60 weakens tenants’ rights, leading to more evictions.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois sees it worsening homelessness.

“The elimination of rent controls and easy approvals for above guideline rent increases have led to thousands of people unable to afford a place to live, and yet fast-tracking evictions is this government’s idea of addressing homelessness,” says Vaugeois.

Vaugeois notes that more than 130 organizations have spoken against the bill.

The government insists the changes contained in the bill will speed up cases before the board.

Attorney General Doug Downey says it will complement measures already taken.

“Last year there were 106,000 cases heard, and the year before that was 80,000,” says Downey.

“So the increased number, while it was significant, also at the same time we decreased the backlog. We have decreased the backlog by 80%, and we are almost at balance.”

Downey adds they also doubled the number of adjudicators to handle cases, going from 40 to 80.