June 5th, 2024
June 5th, 2024
QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP critic for Official Opposition Consumer Protection critic Tom Rakocevic (Humber River – Black Creek) champions new law that will finally ban Notices of Security Interest used by bad actors to scam homeowners.
“Today, the Ontario NDP took unprecedented action to ensure that NOSIs are banned immediately,” said Rakocevic. “We are proud to stand united with all MPPs at Queen's Park in passing this urgent legislation, because Ontarians cannot afford to wait a single day longer,” said Rakocevic. “No one should have to find out about a lurking lien on their property by surprise, that is why we have been fighting to eliminate NOSIs. Banning NOSIs takes billions out of the hands of frauds and scammers. Finally, homeowners will have the peace of mind.”
“We know that it isn’t good enough to simply ban future NOSIs, but make sure that we wipe away the liens threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Ontarians,” said MPP Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre). “I am incredibly thankful that the government has listened to the advocacy of the Ontario NDP and not only banned NOSIs but included retroactivity to make sure no one continues to suffer from these scams.”
Rakocevic, along with MPPs Catherine Fife and Bhutila Karpoche, cosponsored MPP Terence Kernaghan’s bill No More Pushy, High-Pressure HVAC Scams Act, 2024 in March. Kernaghan’s bill would put an end to all NOSIs – past, present, and future. Central to the Bill was retroactivity, that people who’d been scammed in the past would also have relief.
The Ontario government is also moving ahead with expanding consumer protections for condo residents, after years of advocacy from the Ontario NDP and citizens groups.
“We have been calling for the government to expand the jurisdiction and power of the Condo Authority Tribunal, so condo residents have a fast, cheap, and effective way to have their issues heard by an adjudicator,” said MPP Jessica Bell (University Rosedale).
“While it is a good move that Ontario’s 1.4 million residents could soon go to the Condo Authority Tribunal to address issues with condo board governance, we will continue our call for broader reform to ensure every condo is a well-managed and well-maintained place to live.
“Condo residents still have nowhere to go if they have concerns about the use and abuse of reserve funds, poor property management, delays in repairs, and issues with short-term rentals,” said Bell.