Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations
Encyclopedia
The Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) is a non-profit tenants' advocacy
and service organization in Toronto, Ontario founded in 1974. The FMTA is the oldest and largest tenant federation in Canada and is composed of individual tenants and tenant organizations.
maintenance to evictions. The service is available in 150 languages.
Separate from the (Federation of Metro Tenants Associations) FMTA's membership organization is the FMTA run hotline which receives it funding from the Tenant Defense Fund, which receives its funding from the city of Toronto. The city of Toronto's proposed cut to the Tenant Defense Fund was unsuccessfully opposed by the FMTA in 2011.
In 2009, the FMTA exposed a landlord's database which violated privacy laws by making personal information about tenants available on the internet.
columnist Sue-Ann Levy criticized the FMTA has seen its sole-source contracts renewed without tenure, and claiming that its funding quadrupled over the past decade:
"In 1999, when I first reported on the “purchase of service” contract given to the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association (FMTA), the group got $97,510 to run a hotline service. [In 2010], the group got $446,760 to operate the hotline, educate tenants and provide outreach."
Meanwhile, she claimed the actual call volume has only increased from about 7500 calls to about 9000 calls a year over the same period.
Levy also claimed that executive director Geordie Dent who contributes to an online blog has also openly expressed anti-Israel sentiments in a number of postings. However he states that his writings in no way relate to the FMTA.
The FMTA responded to Levy's criticisms stating that:
"Far from being a ‘gravy train' the FMTA has saved tenants millions of dollars over the years. Since its inception in 2000, our Outreach team has worked in exactly 1000 buildings affecting over 160,000 tenants. Our work, made possible by the Tenant Defense Fund, has saved tenants over $7 million dollars, well above what the program costs. It also helps tenants get educated about their rights, responsibilities and services available to them."
The organization also asserted that its hotline had assisted over 10,000 tenants during its 20-year existence and that in 2009, the FMTA's education project gave over 100 workshops to 2300 tenants and agency staff and that its website had close to 30,000 visits and that 6,000 tenants had received FMTA educational materials. The FMTA also claimed that:
"Our staff and board have a variety of backgrounds from left-wing to conservative to no political affiliation. As a non-partisan organization the FMTA does not endorse specific candidates or parties. Our City-funded services have always been delivered in a non-political fashion. Our board works together on political issues which affect tenants regardless of their political background."
, the new administration cut the 2011 city budget including a $100,000 cut to the Tenant Defence Fund which would result in a $75,000 reduction in the FMTA's budget and essential tenant services. The cut was upheld by City Council in February.
Tenant rights
Tenant rights can either refer to the rights tenants enjoy by law, or to the movement to acquire such rights. Tenant rights generally seek to protect renters from landlord neglect and unfair eviction, as well as secure fair, affordable housing....
and service organization in Toronto, Ontario founded in 1974. The FMTA is the oldest and largest tenant federation in Canada and is composed of individual tenants and tenant organizations.
Tenant's Hotline
The FMTA is recognized by the City of Toronto which also funds its Tenant's Hotline, a free service, whose trained staff can explain tenants’ legal rights as well as obligations and provide advice on tenant concerns ranging from rent increases tomaintenance to evictions. The service is available in 150 languages.
Organizing and Outreach
The Federation is also contracted by the City of Toronto to provide an organizing and outreach team which assists tenants to fight above guideline rent increases as well as tenant education. Funding comes from the city's Tenant Defence Fund.Advocacy
The FMTA's membership organization, which is funded by members rather than the city, advocates for tenant rights and improvements in city services and landlord-tenant law.Separate from the (Federation of Metro Tenants Associations) FMTA's membership organization is the FMTA run hotline which receives it funding from the Tenant Defense Fund, which receives its funding from the city of Toronto. The city of Toronto's proposed cut to the Tenant Defense Fund was unsuccessfully opposed by the FMTA in 2011.
In 2009, the FMTA exposed a landlord's database which violated privacy laws by making personal information about tenants available on the internet.
Sue-Ann Levy criticism
In November 2010, Toronto SunToronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
columnist Sue-Ann Levy criticized the FMTA has seen its sole-source contracts renewed without tenure, and claiming that its funding quadrupled over the past decade:
"In 1999, when I first reported on the “purchase of service” contract given to the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association (FMTA), the group got $97,510 to run a hotline service. [In 2010], the group got $446,760 to operate the hotline, educate tenants and provide outreach."
Meanwhile, she claimed the actual call volume has only increased from about 7500 calls to about 9000 calls a year over the same period.
Levy also claimed that executive director Geordie Dent who contributes to an online blog has also openly expressed anti-Israel sentiments in a number of postings. However he states that his writings in no way relate to the FMTA.
The FMTA responded to Levy's criticisms stating that:
"Far from being a ‘gravy train' the FMTA has saved tenants millions of dollars over the years. Since its inception in 2000, our Outreach team has worked in exactly 1000 buildings affecting over 160,000 tenants. Our work, made possible by the Tenant Defense Fund, has saved tenants over $7 million dollars, well above what the program costs. It also helps tenants get educated about their rights, responsibilities and services available to them."
The organization also asserted that its hotline had assisted over 10,000 tenants during its 20-year existence and that in 2009, the FMTA's education project gave over 100 workshops to 2300 tenants and agency staff and that its website had close to 30,000 visits and that 6,000 tenants had received FMTA educational materials. The FMTA also claimed that:
"Our staff and board have a variety of backgrounds from left-wing to conservative to no political affiliation. As a non-partisan organization the FMTA does not endorse specific candidates or parties. Our City-funded services have always been delivered in a non-political fashion. Our board works together on political issues which affect tenants regardless of their political background."
Funding cuts
Following the election of Mayor of Toronto Rob FordRob Ford
Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford is the 64th and current Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was first elected to city council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006...
, the new administration cut the 2011 city budget including a $100,000 cut to the Tenant Defence Fund which would result in a $75,000 reduction in the FMTA's budget and essential tenant services. The cut was upheld by City Council in February.