Ontario Bill 60 Explained: What Passed on November 24, 2025, and Why It’s So Controversial

On November 24, 2025, the Ontario government passed Bill 60, officially titled the Protecting Tenants and Expediting Housing Act, 2025. While the Ford government presents the bill as a way to cut red tape and build more homes faster, tenant advocates and opposition parties have called it one of the most anti-tenant pieces of legislation in decades.Here’s everything you need to know about what Bill 60 actually does, why it sparked protests at Queen’s Park, and what it means for renters and landlords in Ontario.

Key Changes Introduced by Bill 60

1. Faster Evictions for Non-Payment of Rent
   • Landlords can now apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an eviction order without a hearing if a tenant owes rent and does not file a dispute within 7 days of receiving an N4 notice. 
   • The LTB can issue an eviction order automatically if the tenant misses that deadline — even if they later claim they never received the notice or had a valid reason.
2. New “Renoviction” and “Buyer’s Own Use” Rules That Favor Landlords
   • For N13 (renoviction) and N12 (family move-in) evictions, tenants lose the automatic right to a hearing in many cases. 
   • Tenants must now request a hearing within 30 days or the eviction is approved by default.
3. Expanded Powers for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
   • The Minister can issue Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) more easily and with less public consultation. 
   • MZOs override local zoning bylaws and have been criticized in the past for fast-tracking development with little community input.
4. Removal of Rental Replacement Requirements in Some Cases
   • In certain redevelopment projects, developers will no longer be required to replace demolished rental units or offer existing tenants the right to return at similar rents.
5. Higher Fines for “Bad Faith” Tenants
   • Maximum fines for tenants found to have acted in bad faith (e.g., falsely disputing an eviction) increased from $25,000 to $100,000.

Why Tenant Advocates Are Calling It “The Worst Bill in a Generation”

• No Hearing = No Defense: Tenant rights groups like ACORN and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) say removing the right to an automatic hearing will lead to thousands of wrongful evictions. Many tenants, especially seniors, newcomers, and low-income families, miss paperwork deadlines because of language barriers, illness, or mail issues.
• Renoviction Loophole Widened: Critics argue the changes make it easier for landlords to issue bad-faith N12/N13 notices, displace long-term tenants, and convert units into higher-paying condos or short-term rentals.
• Less Protection During Housing Crisis: With Ontario’s rental vacancy rate hovering around 1.5–2% in major cities (CMHC, 2025), losing affordable units without mandatory replacement is seen as catastrophic.
• Premier Ford’s Comments Spark Outrage: During protests on November 24, Premier Doug Ford told demonstrators to “get off your A-S-S and find a job”, a remark widely condemned as dismissive of tenants struggling with skyrocketing rents.

What the Ford Government Says

The government insists the bill protects good tenants while targeting a small minority who abuse the system by refusing to pay rent or delaying legitimate evictions.Housing Minister Paul Calandra stated: 

“These changes will deter serial non-payers and help responsible landlords recover their properties faster so they can keep providing housing.”

The government also points out that tenants who do request a hearing will still get one, and the higher fines only apply in proven cases of bad faith.

Timeline of Passage (Rushed Process)

• First reading: October 30, 2025 
• Public hearings: Only two days (November 18–19) 
• Third reading and passage: November 24, 2025 
• Royal Assent: Expected within days

Opposition parties (NDP, Liberals, and Greens) condemned the extremely short consultation period.

What Happens Next?

• Most provisions come into force on proclamation (likely early 2026). 
• Tenant groups are already planning legal challenges, arguing parts of the bill violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 
• Municipalities and developers are watching closely to see how the expanded MZO powers will be used.

Bottom Line for Renters in Ontario

If you receive an N4, N12, or N13 notice after Bill 60 takes effect, you will have strict deadlines (7–30 days) to request a hearing. Missing those deadlines could mean automatic eviction — even if you have a legitimate defense.Tenant advocacy groups strongly recommend immediately contacting a community legal clinic or duty counsel the moment you receive any eviction notice.Sources & Further Reading

• Legislative Assembly of Ontario – Bill 60 text 
• ACORN Ontario & Keep Your Rent campaign 
• Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) analysis 
• CMHC Rental Market Report 2025 
• CBC, Toronto Star, and Global News coverage (Nov 24–25, 2025)

Last updated: November 26, 2025