TENANTS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS
 
Your Councillor is your voice at the Municipal level of government.  He or
she has been elected to represent your interests and to help you solve a
number of problems.  The following will provide you with a helpful list of
when your should consider calling on your Councillor. 
 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
 
If you are unsure who to call when you have a problem, your Councillor's
office can probably help by giving you the name and phone number of the
proper government department, agency or person.  If the problem falls
under a municipal department they can often make the initial phone call in
order to get the ball rolling, and will follow up with you to ensure that
you are receiving the help you need. 
 
 
MEDIATION Sometimes it helps just to have someone with you when you meet
with your landlord. While Councillors' schedules are heavy, it is
worthwhile checking to see if your Councillor (or assistant) is available
to attend your meeting. 
 
 
PROPERTY STANDARDS
 
Building maintenance, including cleaning, repairs, heat and snow removal
fall under the Property Standards By-law. If you are having problems you
should call the Property Standards office at 564-1717 or you can call your
Councillor and request to have the matter dealt with. Again, they will
follow up with both you and the inspector to make sure that you are
satisfied. 
 
 
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
 
If your landlord is supposed to pay for water or electricity and has not,
you may receive a notice that the service will be cut off. Calling your
Councillor will ensure that the utility is aware that they would be
hurting tenants through this action, not the owner. In most cases, service
will be maintained. 
 
 
ADVOCACY
 
Another reason to keep in touch with your Councillor is to let him or her
know that you think it is important to maintain funding for property and
fire inspectors and organizations like the Tenants Federation and Housing
Help. 
 
Remember, each Councillor has staff who are there primarily to handle the
problems of constituents. Don't hesitate to call them - that's what
they're for.