The following story from thestar.com is worth keeping tabs on. Residents in an Oshawa neighbourhood have decided to sue the city for failing to enforce a zoning by-law that is supposed to prevent landlords from renting a house to multiple tenants. They argue that property values and quality of life have declined considerably since university students have moved into the area en masse. There are obvious similarities between this neighbourhood’s fight against unethical landlords and the waterfront’s fight against the unethical landlords at the TPA. In both cases, the greed of a few is ruining the quality of life for countless residents and families.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/789622--homeowners-sue-oshawa-over-rowdy-student-renters

It’s also worth considering whether similar legal recourse might be appropriate for those living in the increasingly broadening shadow of the TCCA. As pro-TPA and pro-Porter posters never tire of repeating, waterfront residents made the choice to live in the vicinity of an airport. But by the same token those residents made that choice with the expectation that the Tripartite Agreement would prevent the airport from expanding. If the Tripartite Agreement has been violated – or is in danger of being violated – whether through the implementation of a fixed link or failure to adhere to NEF contours or some other breach, and the community can show damages to quality of life and/or property value, it seems reasonable to suppose that grounds for a lawsuit exist. Perhaps somebody with more legal expertise can comment.

MR