Striking tenants planned a negotiation with their corporate landlord, who then ghosted them.

33 King Street and 22 John Street, in York South Weston, have been striking for months. We've covered it here before. Rent is being illegally raised, housing conditions are far below acceptable, and there are claims of tenants being harassed for trying to organize action.

On September 17th, Dream United, the owner company of 33 King and 22 John, was invited by the mayor of Toronto herself to attend a negotiatory meeting with her and the YSW tenants union, the group on rent strike.

The tenant's reasonable demands loosely align with 'Fix the buildings and stop illegally raising the rent.' All Dream United had to do was show up, listen, and start a dialogue. They didn't do any of that. With no explanation or notice, the landlord company didn't even bother showing up, leaving a room full of tenants and Olivia Chow able to see how Dream United feels about tenants.

So why does this matter?

This shows precisely where Dream United lies. They claim to want to work with tenants to end the rent strike, yet if they did, they would've attended the meeting. Instead Dream United has no interest in working with tenants, only wanting an all-or-nothing solution. The demands presented to them are simple, doable,, and yet apparently still too much.