Breaking the Silence

Dear Annex,

You are really angry with me right now.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been called out, called names, and even called on my phone.

Everyone has asked me for the same thing — to defend my values. To show some heart. To grow a conscience. And sometimes, to eat shit. Suffice to say, it’s been one of the more challenging periods of my life.

It’s a scary time in Toronto right now. Housing prices are ruining dreams. Rental prices are disrupting lives. And the gap between those that have and have not is widening every year.

I recognize that I’m speaking to you from a place of privilege, but my privilege does not mean that I’m a man without a heart.

I am, however, a man being litigated against. And to date, this has required my silence. By writing this, I am ignoring the legal advice I’ve been given, but I’m honouring my desire to engage in difficult conversations.

And I know you want answers.

In the fall, my friend and I decided we would build a hotel that was a celebration of its neighbourhood. We found a historically great building and spent months raising money. And yes, we knew that some people were living there even though the building was zoned commercial and the units were intended as offices (no bathroom, kitchen, etc.). Nevertheless, we went to the city a full 6 months before we planned to start construction and said there were people at risk and we needed to engage their help.

Since that time, that’s been my focus. No matter how much my name gets dragged through the mud, it doesn’t change what needs to be done, which is to make sure everyone lands safely on their feet. I know all these tenants by name. I speak with them regularly. And I am acutely aware of everyone’s unique circumstances. It’s hard to know all the details and complexity involved in this process — I have to balance your desire for information with their desire for privacy — but I can assure you that nobody takes this more seriously than I do.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to clear up some misconstrued facts…

There were 15 people at risk, not 20.

10 of those have successfully found new, sustainable housing.

We didn’t offer a “buyout”. We told folks that if they were able to find sustainable housing on their own, and would like to move out before 120 days, we would be willing to give them more than the 3 months of rent they were entitled to. We had several people ask for the money without having a place to go and we politely declined.

Every single person who found new accommodations is now living in better conditions than they were at Brunswick. They have bathrooms, kitchens, and are no longer exposed to the ongoing health risks.

The only tenants who were given 30 days notice were the ones we had understood to be office studios based on an assessment done by the city. If there was any dispute from the tenant, we didn’t enforce the 30 days.

Every residential tenant will receive 120 days and 3 months rent (sometimes more). In addition, we are voluntarily donating funds to the city to help pay for the resources required to re-locate those who cannot do it themselves.

We are also working closely with the team at WoodGreen Community Services to ensure all tenants experience a smooth transition into their new homes and communities.

Most importantly… my intention is that ZERO people find themselves homeless at the end of this process. I will be glad to follow up on that when all is said and done (update: this was accomplished successfully).

I can understand why Tilt is upset with us for turning the building into something that requires them to move, but if we share the same concern for the residents, then I wish they would have engaged me in a conversation to understand the efforts being made and how everyone is doing.

If they had, they’d know that the woman with cancer (and her partner) already found a much healthier place to live and weren’t thrilled about being included in the media. If they had, they’d know that Danny Beaton is looking for office space (where he can drum) and maintains a home elsewhere. These are the people who require my attention. They are not some moral high ground in a business dispute.

I know change is hard. And it’s not lost on me that I’m a catalyst for the change in people’s lives right now. I am doing my best to learn what it means to ensure change is graceful (and hopefully even positive) for all involved and I welcome the opportunity to hear from others on this topic.

I also want to say “thank you” to those who know me and held faith that I was approaching this mindfully — even in my silence. And to those who’ve expressed their belief in our project, I look forward to sharing more about our desire to create a positive impact in the Annex community soon.