Cornwall Tenants Association hosts productive brainstorming workshop

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A renewal bylaw, increased awareness of tenants’ legal rights and monthly social events are some of the ideas that were floated during Wednesday night’s meeting of the Cornwall and Area Tenants Association (TACA) at the Cornwall Public Library.

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A number of proactive tenants participated in person and online, providing feedback in French and English. The meeting was facilitated by TACA President Carol Boileau, Vice President Anna Lafrance and Secretary/Founding Member Adam St. Louis.

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The volunteer-led advocacy group is looking to have a strategic plan ready for its one-year anniversary this summer, as the group shared for the first time its mission to ensure housing remains sustainable for all tenants in August. The plan would act as a guidance document during August 2024-25.

TACA is an incubator project with the Cornwall and Area Social Development Council, currently working towards becoming a not-for-profit organisation. Since its launch last year, members have worked with tRoy McMurtry Legal Clinic in Cornwall to learn more about tenants’ rights.

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“We’re really trying to get more people involved, get more known in the area and help more people. We helped a few people last year…let us help you!” said Boileau.

Beginning with Wednesday night’s meeting, volunteers wasted no time asking attendees how TACA can best support tenants moving forward, asking everyone to jot down their ideas on color-coordinated sticky notes. Some of the major themes that emerged included communicating rights, training, support for navigating the system and avoiding profiteers.

When considering actions to meet tenants’ goals, creating a group of volunteer translators, increasing TACA membership and peer support groups, tenant workshops and developing local tenant-landlord relationships there were several ideas that emerged, in addition to statutes and legislative reforms.

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“TACA really prides itself on being able to … communicate with people in both French and English,” said St. Louis, who ensured that multiple language translation options were available via Roy McMurtry Legal Clinic. “Language should never be a barrier to communicate between us.”

Following the brainstorming session, Roy McMurtry Legal Clinic Executive Director Robert Coulombe hosted a question-and-answer session where many tenants asked about landlords trying to raise their rent. Boileau pointed out that everyone is looking at Ontario’s 2024 maximum rent increase and its provisions.

To learn more about TACA and get involved, visit www.tacaalcr.ca. Anyone looking for free legal advice as a tenant in Cornwall and area is encouraged to contact www.sdglegal.com.

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