On Friday, August 10, our lawyer, Daniel Tucker-Simmons with Avant Law, sent a letter to Timbercreek giving them notice that we are gearing up for a human rights case to STOP THE EVICTIONS.
But we will only have a chance if we raise enough money.
Click here to donate to the Herongate Legal Defence Fund.
Donate now to our GoFundMe Legal Defence Fund or email herongatetc@gmail.com for details on how to donate via cheque or cash in person or directly to our bank account.
We need your help—we’re fighting an uphill battle and this is a critical moment for us.
In as little as 2 months, over 500 of our neighbours in Herongate will be facing eviction. We’re up against one of the country's largest corporate landlords, Timbercreeek Asset Management, who has filed notices to terminate the tenancy of tenants from approximately 150 three- and four-bedroom townhomes, on the grounds of demolition.
Background on Herongate
In 2012, Timbercreek purchased 23 hectares of private rental housing in Herongate—a working class neighbourhood in South Ottawa—becoming the owner of one of the largest, rental clusters in the country. The first round of evictions took place in the winter of 2016, when 80 units were demolished and families were torn from their homes, to make way for upscale “resort-style” apartments. In the Spring of this year, they informed the tenants of 150 homes they would be next. But this time, the neighbourhood organized.
Today, hundreds of working class tenants across Herongate have joined the coalition, including labourers, union members, homemakers, students, and children. We’re standing together, united. We’re fighting back. We’re defending our homes. We’re defending Herongate. As workers, we must have each other’s backs on the job; as tenants, we must have each other’s backs in our neighbourhoods.
What’s next?
Timbercreek has requested that tenants move out by September 30, 2018. But anytime before or after that date, the landlord has the option of filing for eviction at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). This means, that as early as this fall we may find ourselves before the LTB with dozens upon dozens of high-stake eviction hearings that need to be fought—and won. There are also a number of other legal defence strategies that are being considered, depending on our financial capacity.
Our ask to you
In order to have the finances to support a fully operational legal team, the Herongate Legal Defence Fund must raise thousands of dollars in grassroots donations in the coming weeks. A financial gift of any amount is greatly appreciated, and will help us sustain our fight to defend Herongate.
From our neighbourhood to yours—thank you.
