In a constructive and candid meeting at Queen’s Park, Tracy Tong, board member and representative of Small Ownership Landlords Ontario Inc. (SOLO), met on Friday February 27th, 2026 with Billy Pang, a Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament, to discuss growing concerns about protections for small landlords in Ontario.
At the heart of the discussion was the ongoing crisis at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) — the provincial tribunal responsible for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants. Small landlords across Ontario continue to face significant delays in hearings, particularly in cases involving rental arrears. For many, those delays translate into months of unpaid rent, mounting mortgage obligations, and financial distress.
SOLO’s Three Key Requests
During the meeting, Tong presented three specific policy requests on behalf of SOLO:
1️⃣ Alternative Dispute Resolution for Non-Contested Arrears
The first ask focused on implementing an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) stream for non-contested rental arrears cases. Tong emphasized that many cases before the LTB involve straightforward situations where tenants do not dispute the arrears but delays persist nonetheless.
She urged MPP Pang to help “start the conversation” about a faster, administrative pathway for such cases — a reform that could ease tribunal backlogs while protecting due process.
2️⃣ Bill 10
Tong also raised concerns regarding Bill 10 and its potential implications for housing stakeholders. MPP Pang indicated he is already closely following the file, reassuring SOLO that he is “on top of this.”
3️⃣ Submission to the Auditor General
Tong brought a copy of SOLO’s submission to the Auditor General regarding LTB operations. MPP Pang suggested that SOLO consider reframing the document and submitting a similar brief to the Attorney General’s office, potentially broadening the political traction of their concerns.
Overall, Pang reiterated his support for SOLO and acknowledged the pressures facing small landlords in Ontario.
Emotional Testimony from Local Landlords
Three additional landlords from Pang’s constituency attended the meeting. They shared personal and emotional accounts of financial hardship caused by prolonged LTB delays and tenant non-payment.
Some raised the controversial issue of removing “security of tenure,” arguing that current legislation leaves small landlords disproportionately exposed to risk.
MPP Pang’s response reflected the political tightrope faced by policymakers. He acknowledged the seriousness of their concerns but emphasized the need to balance the interests of both landlords and tenants in his constituency. He encouraged continued outreach to senior decision-makers, including the Premier, the Attorney General, and media outlets.
Next Steps: Expanding Advocacy
Following the meeting, the attending landlords asked whether SOLO would request a meeting with Michael Kerzner, another MPP, and invite them to participate.
The request signals an expanding grassroots effort among small landlords to engage directly with elected officials. As delays at the LTB continue to strain housing providers — many of whom own only one or two units — advocacy efforts appear poised to intensify.
A Broader Policy Tension
The meeting underscores a broader policy tension in Ontario’s housing system. Small landlords argue they are not large corporations but middle-class property owners carrying mortgages, taxes, and maintenance costs. Prolonged adjudicative delays can quickly escalate into insolvency risks.
At the same time, tenant protections remain politically sensitive in a province facing affordability challenges and housing shortages.
Whether reforms such as ADR for non-contested arrears gain momentum may depend on sustained advocacy and political will.
For SOLO and its members, however, the message was clear: the conversation has begun — and it is not going away.
