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Cockroaches, mould, heat: Peel tenants decry rental conditions in survey
Nearly 30 per cent of tenants in Peel Region surveyed by the low- and moderate-income renters advocacy group ACORN have dealt with cockroaches in their units, while more than 30 per cent said their units were too hot in the summer.
The group is calling on city councils in Brampton and Mississauga to do more to protect renters, though a spokesperson for the City of Mississauga says work is already underway.
The 2025 Tenant Survey Report — released earlier this week alongside a rally outside Brampton City Hall — alleges widespread neglect in rental buildings, with lower-income renters hit hardest, according to ACORN.
Mould, pests, peeling paint, extreme heat and broken elevators were among the most frequently-cited issues in the survey.
The report is based on responses from 257 tenants in Brampton and Mississauga gathered between May and June. Of the 257, 68 per cent were from Mississauga and 32 per cent were from Brampton.
ACORN claims the findings show a significant portion of renters are paying more than ever for housing that is “deteriorating,” particularly lower-income renters.
Results from a 2025 survey by ACORN Canada of 257 tenants in Brampton and Mississauga.
ACORN Canada
“Tenants earning over $80,000 annually were more likely to have repairs done within 24 hours. Meanwhile, those on low incomes were more likely to have repair issues that were never resolved,” the group said in a media release.
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When respondents were asked if they received a rent increase above provincial guidelines, 36.6 per cent said they had, while 28.4 per cent did not know.
Nearly 30 per cent reported cockroaches in their units while over 30 per cent reported “roaches or other bugs in building.” Close to 20 per cent reported mice or rats in their building.
Nearly 40 per cent said they were dealing with mould, while roughly 30 per cent responded that their units were excessively hot in the summer.
Tenants also raised concerns about common areas being neglected, with almost 30 per cent saying hallways and carpets were not being cleaned.
When asked if they had ever contacted 311 (a non-emergency number to reach municipal services) or local bylaw enforcement, 35 per cent of respondents said “I do not know what 311 is.”
Just over 15 per cent of respondents had filed a property standards complaint against their landlord. Of those, 16.3 per cent of respondents claimed to feel “threatened” after the fact.
Among the survey respondents, the median annual income was between $40-50,000. Just under half of respondents were employed full-time while 9.3 per cent were employed part-time, ACORN data shows. Sixty-five per cent pay between $1,501 and $2,500 in monthly rent.
In its release, ACORN notes that both Brampton and Mississauga “have made some positive steps regarding property standards enforcement” but the group argues more needs to be done.
ACORN is calling for citywide landlord licensing or registration programs in both municipalities, as well as the introduction of an anti-renoviction bylaw similar to what’s been developed in Hamilton and Toronto.
While Mississauga has a Rental Housing Protection Bylaw, ACORN is also calling on Brampton to develop tenant protections in cases of “demoviction,” which is when buildings are purposefully neglected in order to justify demolishing the building to replace it with luxury rentals.
A spokesperson for the City of Mississauga said that while there is no city-wide regulatory framework for landlord licensing, rental apartment buildings are regulated “through the Rental Apartment Buildings By-law 0089-2022, second units through the Second Units Registration By-law 0114-2016, lodging houses through the Residential Rental Accommodation Licensing By-law 0172-2010, and short-term rentals through the Short Term Rental Accommodation Licensing By-law 0289-2020.”
The Rental Standards Program (formerly Mississauga Apartment Rental Compliance) was launched in July 2022 and “aims to ensure that apartment buildings with two or more storeys and six or more residential units that share a common area are well-maintained,” the spokesperson added. Tenants can report issues with their rental building online.
City staff in Mississauga are currently reviewing existing regulatory framework to see what changes or improvements can be made, with a report expected in the first three months of 2026.
As for renovictions, the spokesperson said work on that front is also underway with a city staff report expected this fall.
“The City of Mississauga is committed to maintaining safe and liveable communities. Should a resident experience any maintenance concerns regarding their rental unit that have not been addressed by their landlord, it is encouraged that they submit a complaint to 3-1-1 (905-615-4311, if outside City limits). A copy of City By-laws can be viewed at mississauga.ca/bylaws,” they concluded.
Global News had not received a response from the City of Brampton as of publication time.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
TORONTO – John Schneider has a plan with his starting rotation now that newcomer Shane Bieber is healthy and ready to make his Toronto Blue Jays debut.
But moments after his team was routed by the Texas Rangers 10-4 before 42,549 at Rogers Centre on Sunday, the Blue Jays manager was reticent about when exactly Bieber slots in this week.
“We got some plans in place,” is all Schneider said.
The Blue Jays announced Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt — in that order — have been scheduled to pitch Toronto’s outings in Pittsburgh against the Pirates on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Blue Jays have Thursday off before beginning a weekend series in Miami against the Marlins.
The 30-year-old Bieber had six days off between his three rehab starts with triple-A Buffalo. He made his last start with Buffalo on Saturday, which puts him on schedule to pitch again in Miami on Friday.
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But even though the Blue Jays’ existing starting rotation of Scherzer (41), Bassitt (36), Gausman (34), Jose Berrios (31) and Eric Lauer (30) are 30 or older, they’re each competitors and thrive on heavy workloads.
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Berrios hasn’t missed a start in his career. Even though he had won four decisions before his poor outing in the series finale against Texas, he appears ready for a rest.
Berrios has gone six innings in only one of his last seven starts.
“I think everyone can,” Schneider said when asked if Berrios could benefit from some extra rest.
“I think whenever you can get guys extra rest, it’s always important, especially this time of year. But at the same time, you’re trying to win every single game you can.”
The Blue Jays (73-52) continue to lead the American League East by five games over the Boston Red Sox with six weeks remaining.
Berrios lasted only 4 1/3 innings against the Rangers, allowing six runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and homers to former Blue Jays infielder Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Berrios said when asked if he was OK with a six-man rotation.
“But (Bieber’s) healthy and ready. I’ll do whatever.”
Schneider, however, still has faith in Berrios.
“When I think of him, I think of consistency,” Schneider said. “There’s been some ups and downs for him and a lot of guys.
“We’re still winning a lot of games, and he’s finding a way to keep us in games, too. He’s the same guy every single day. I’m sure he’s frustrated today that he couldn’t go longer or give up less runs. That’s just kind of how he’s wired.”
SPRINGER DINGER
In his second outing since his 15-game absence, George Springer belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
“It was a good day for him,” Schneider said. “He was actually doing a lot when he wasn’t cleared to play. He was getting a lot of reps in.
“I think being able to fall back on what he has been doing so well this year has served him well.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said Sunday it is probing an incident that saw two Ontario Provincial Police officers discharge anti-riot weapons at a Gananoque man, leaving him injured.
The SIU announced the investigation on its website, saying in a statement that three SIU investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
A 42-year-old Gananoque man was transported to hospital for treatment after OPP officers discharged their weapons at him inside his home, the SIU said, without disclosing his injuries.
The SIU is an independent Ontario government agency that investigates the conduct of municipal, regional and provincial police officers.
According to the SIU, “preliminary information” suggests officers with the Gananoque Police Service were dispatched to the area of Second Street and Victoria Avenue at around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 15, for reports of “a disturbance in the neighborhood.”
Officers discovered that a man had allegedly barricaded himself inside a residence. OPP officers were dispatched to assist, the SIU said.
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Shortly before midnight, the SIU said, OPP officers entered the residence and were met by the man who was allegedly armed with “edged weapons.”
Two officers discharged their anti-riot weapons (ARWENs) and released their service dog. ARWENS are described as non-lethal weapons.
According to the statement, the man was transported to hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
An SIU spokeswoman said the man remains in hospital Sunday afternoon.
“Investigators are awaiting confirmation as to the nature of his injuries,” the SIU spokeswoman said.
The SIU urges anyone in Gananoque who was near or at the scene who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
The SIU is called to investigate incidents involving the discharge of a firearm at a person by police in Ontario, as well as incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, or sexual assault.
All investigations are conducted by civilian SIU investigators. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, once a probe is finished, the SIU director must consider whether the officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident investigated.
Depending on the evidence, the SIU decides whether a criminal charge should be laid where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid.
The SIU must publicly report the results of all investigations.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
TORONTO – Solo homers from Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were the only blemishes in Nathan Eovaldi’s effective seven innings as the Texas Rangers managed a 10-4 win in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
Former Blue Jays infielder Marcus Semien and Wyatt Langford smacked two-run homers in the second and sixth innings, respectively, to help the Rangers (62-63) end a four-game slide.
Eovaldi (11-3) allowed five hits, striking out six with no walks in his 97-pitch performance.
The Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 lead when Kirk hit his homer in the second inning and were ahead 8-1 when Guerrero belted his 439-foot monster to left field for his 21st with two out in the sixth inning.
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Jose Berrios (9-5) was not sharp as his four-game win streak came to an end, as did the Blue Jays’ (73-52) three-game run before 42,549 at Rogers Centre.
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He lasted only 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on 10 hits, including the two homers. He struck out two Rangers.
The Rangers enjoyed a 5-1 advantage after Jake Burger’s single scored Semien, and a two-out single from catcher Jonah Heim scored two more. All three runs came with two out in the fourth.
George Springer belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning off reliever Hoby Milner in Springer’s second game back after missing 15 outings with a concussion.
Evan Carter answered with a two-run blast in the ninth.
Takeaways
Rangers: After going hitless in his first eight at-bats in the series, two-time World Series champion and MVP Corey Seager knocked a one-out solo shot down the left-field line in the fifth inning.
Blue Jays: Named Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt as starters against the Pittsburgh Pirates, meaning newcomer Shane Bieber likely will make his debut against the Miami Marlins on Friday.
Key moment
Heim’s bouncer up the middle cashed in two runs in the fourth inning to increase Texas’s lead to 5-1. Like Semien, Heim enjoyed a three-hit outing.
Key stat
The Blue Jays missed a chance for their 10th series sweep, which would have matched them with the Milwaukee Brewers for the most in 2025.
Up next
Toronto begins a six-game road trip in Pittsburgh on Monday and concludes with a weekend series in Miami.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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