Rent arrears increasing for Sault social services
The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Board (DSSMSSB) is calling for faster processing times at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB.)
The District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Board is calling for faster processing times at the Landlord and Tenant Board. A Social Services Sault Ste. Marie sign. (Mike McDonald/CTV News Northern Ontario)
The board says it is owed about $58,000 in back rent, which is a more than 20 per cent increase from this time last year. DSSMSSB CEO Mike Nadeau told CTV News this is due to an eviction hearing backlog at the LTB.
“We’re seeing that there's still about a 12-month wait for us to get to the tribunal to get an eviction order,” he said – adding the delays are hampering DSSMSSB’s ability to deal with problem tenants, leading to complaints from other tenants that it is failing to provide safe and peaceful enjoyment of rental units.
“Because of the delay, now we're having tenants that are frustrated, and rightfully so, and they're going to the tenant board on the other side,” said Nadeau.
“We're kind of in this really unique catch-22 position and we're asking the (Province) to really speed up the tribunal process so that it's fair for all parties and all tenants.”
Nadeau said the decision to evict a tenant is not taken lightly.
“That is our last resort,” he said.
“As you're aware, we are responsible for providing emergency shelter services, homelessness services. So, it's not something that our team takes very lightly whatsoever. However, unfortunately, the reality is, is some tenancies do not and they're not successful and we do need to go down that path.”
In a statement to CTV News, the LTB said it is continuing to work on reducing backlogs through streamlining processes, adopting new technology and hiring more staff.
Officials with LTB said they have already held more hearings this year compared to all of 2023 and are projecting over 100,000 hearings to be completed by the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6974402.1721752977!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
DEVELOPING Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Edmonton gas station employee found guilty of terrorism charges in the U.K.
An Edmonton man has been convicted of multiple charges under the Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom.
Trudeau hand-picking candidate in Montreal byelection riles aspiring contenders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to hand-pick a candidate for a riding in an upcoming Montreal byelection isn't being well-received by three aspiring contenders who spent months campaigning only to be shunted aside.
Celine Dion lands in Paris amid reports of performance at the Olympics
Speculation is mounting that Celine Dion will make an appearance at the Paris Olympics after landing in the French capital days before the opening ceremony.
Quebec mom devastated after man who killed her daughter in hit-and-run gets out after 5 months
A Montreal-area mother is furious with Quebec's justice system because the man who killed her 25-year-old daughter in a 2022 hit-and-run was released from jail after only serving one-sixth of his sentence behind bars.
U.S. Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service resigned Tuesday in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump that unleashed an outcry about how the agency failed in its core mission to protect current and former presidents.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands after car totalled in hit-and-run
A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.