Ontario MPPs slam 'egregious' condo request that gay couple provide marriage certificate or leave
Elected MPPs at Queen’s Park expressed their shock at a Toronto condominium telling a gay couple to provide a marriage certificate or leave the building, as they quizzed top bureaucrats on the effectiveness of the province’s condo regulators.
The provincial ministry in charge of Ontario’s condo sector said it’s looking into the specifics of the case — as well as whether the rules designed to protect condo dwellers are good enough to stop similar incidents from happening throughout the province.
“As a proud member of a government that champions equal rights for all Ontarians, I was troubled by a recent report suggesting that a gay couple is facing challenges living in the condominium,” said PC MPP Michael Parsa, referring to the CTV News story that first described the issue.
“If you’re unable to enforce basic human rights in what’s described to be such an egregious violation, what other consumer rights are slipping?” asked Liberal MPP Stephen Blais.
“It’s pretty clear from the Auditor General’s reports that condo residents are not provided with adequate protection,” said the NDP’s Jessica Bell.
The deputy minister in charge of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, Renu Kulendran, told the committee the government takes possible discrimination very seriously, but said condos largely run themselves.
“Condo corporations are self-governing and it’s up to the condo community to make the rules that work for them,” Kulendran said.
She said the couple could file a human rights complaint over the condo’s definition of the kinds of “families” it allows.
The condo, MTCC 972, defines itself as “single family” which according to its rules means “a social unit consisting of parent(s) and their children, whether natural or adopted, and includes other relatives if living with the primary group.”
The condo management company, TSE Management Services, Inc, has not responded to any questions about the case since Tuesday.
Condo resident Michael Cowan says that definition was what condo management referred him to when his partner moved in earlier this month. He says they asked him for a marriage certificate, and when he couldn’t provide one, they deactivated his partner’s key fob.
“I think this is a human rights issue,” said Cowan in an interview.
Michael Cowan speaks with CTV News Toronto after being told he has to leave his condo because he and his partner are not married.
A former condo resident reached by CTV News Toronto, Avanti Ramachandran, said she had lived at the condo for six years when she invited her boyfriend Samir to live with her. She says there was nothing unusual about it.
“We were never asked for any proof of our relationship and marriage or anything like that,” she said, adding that they weren’t married. “I had a partner move in and there was no issue whatsoever.”
Condo lawyer Rod Escayola, who is not connected to the case, said the “single family” definition is usually just to distinguish the condo from industrial or commercial uses.
“It’s shocking that a condo corporation would use a single family provision and expand it the way they have,” he said.
“The definition of family that appears to be the definition is way too restrictive. It’s not 1945 here,” he said.
A human rights complaint may be the way to go, he said, though the MPP for the area said she hoped the condo would relent.
“We have a clear case here, and the condo board should be doing the right thing,” NDP’s Suze Morrison said.
The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services said in a statement that their government "supports the equal rights of all Ontarians."
"There is no place for intolerance and discrimination of any kind in our province," the ministry said. “Ontario’s Human Rights Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground, including family status and sexual orientation. The Human Rights Code is applicable to condominium corporations and must be followed."
“The ministry is looking into the specifics of the situation to ensure it is resolved and reviewing ways to improve the Condominium Act and oversight bodies to better protect condominium residents.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.