In this episode, Nashwa sits down with two tenant organizers to discuss the eviction blitzes we are presently witnessing in Toronto. She’s joined with Johnny Dib of the York South-Weston Tenant’s Union and Matt Wittman of Parkdale Organize.We recommend people check out Keep Your Rent and People’s Defence Toronto, both groups are mentioned on the show and doing amazing work. We also suggest people use and share the Toronto Covid Evictions Tracker.
This episode about tenant advocacy happening in Toronto is part of a tiny series of episodes we will be putting out on Canadian activism and social movements. There is presently a grotesque amount of evictions going on. While evictions have always been a problem, presently they have become so commonplace that they are being facilitated through Microsoft Office Teams in blocks. To further illustrate this point, consider that in November 2020 there were over 6,500 eviction hearings— a 21% increase compared to November 2019.
Anti-eviction action and organizing has an important history. In the second year of the Great Depression it was so intense in that evictions effectively stopped in New York, Detroit, and Chicago. There is safety in numbers and community, this episode reveals how organizing and community care matter. We will not stand by as our neighbors lose housing. Next episodes will include defunding movements in different parts of Canada and an episode on transit justice in Toronto.
If you want to support and unlock full length Habibti Please exclusives like the video and post-show, please consider becoming a patron on Patreon or a paid Substack subscriber. We are a small team and it costs a bit to make this happen. We are happy to contribute to this passion project but we are also *so* grateful to anyone who is able to support us continuing to build content.
If you are able to help support tenants right now there is a gofundme for The East York 50: This fundraiser was set up to help support a group of 50 immigrant families slated to be evicted.
Solidarity is forever and solidarity to those fighting evictions! If you like the show and would like to see a specific politician interviewed or cause covered please find us on social media and drop us a line!
Guest Information:
Guests of the Week: Johnny Dib of The York South-Weston Tenant Union and Matt Wittman of Parkdale Organize
The York South-Weston Tenant Union
The York South-Weston Tenant Union is named after an electoral district in the northwest of Toronto. It was formed in February of 2020 when 7 tenant associations where tenants had already been organized at the building level came together to ensure longevity and continuity in the organizing efforts in their own buildings as well as to support other tenants who want to organize. The Tenant Union is also an advocacy group for tenant rights and pushes for legislative and policy reform on all issues affecting tenants.
Johnny Dib is an active member of the York South Weston Tenant Union, he has played a role since 2017 in knocking doors and connecting neighbours in several apartment tower complexes where landlords were pushing very steep rent increases.
Parkdale Organize
Parkdale Organize is a group of working class people who organize to build neighbourhood power in Parkdale. The organization aims to build working class organizations independent of politicians and social service providers.
Matt Wittman (he/him) is a tenant organizer in Parkdale working with Parkdale Organize.
Production Credits:
Hosted by Nashwa Lina Khan
Show Music by Johnny Zapras and postXamerica
Art for Habibti Please by postXamerica
Production by Andre Goulet, Nashwa Lina Khan and Johnny Zapras
Production Assistance by Raymond Khanano
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Canadian Social Movement Series - Episode 11 with Parkdale Organize and The York South-Weston Tenant Union