Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto sues City of Toronto and Mayor Olivia Chow

TORONTO, ONTARIO - September 22, 2026 - Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto has filed a lawsuit against the City of Toronto, Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik and other City officials over the approval, acquisition and operation of shelter sites located in nine Toronto neighbourhoods.

The lawsuit asks the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to examine whether City officials acted within the authority given to them by Toronto City Council and whether the City’s own rules were followed.

"Toronto residents are deeply concerned about the approval process for homeless shelters in their neighbourhoods, particularly because these facilities are often close to schools and provide free drug paraphernalia," said Diane Chester, one of the directors for Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto. “Concentrating people with mental health and addiction issues in shelters will create significant public safety and operational challenges in Toronto neighbourhoods.”

At the centre of the lawsuit is the City's Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS), which set certain parameters for neighbourhood shelters – parameters which, the claim alleges, ultimately were not followed.

“Residents from affected neighbourhoods across Toronto are asking whether decisions involving millions of public dollars and permanent changes to their communities are lawful,” said Mustafa Bendago, a Director of Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto. “That question deserves a clear answer.”

Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto says some residents received little or no advance notice before shelter properties were selected or purchased, and that requests for information were often ignored.

“Where shelters are located matters, especially when they are close to homes, schools, daycares and seniors’ residences,” said David Margulies, a member of Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto. “The people who live in those communities should not find out about major decisions after they have effectively been made. Consultation must mean more than simply informing residents of a decision.”

“This is not about whether Toronto should provide shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness. It should. The issue is whether those programs should be in neighbourhoods and include so-called harm reduction, which often enables rather than treats, the addiction.

Residents deserve transparency, meaningful consultation and confidence that politicians are following the rules. We believe Toronto can provide compassionate shelter services without endangering neighbourhoods.” Mr. Margulies continued. "Otherwise, tragedies can and will happen."

The lawsuit also alleges:

• Criminal incidents have occurred at or near shelters that the City and operators have done very little to address.

• The City acquired four shelter properties for more than $10 million each, a threshold that requires City Council approval under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 213.

• Those acquisitions included approximately $16 million for 720 Bathurst Street, $43.2 million for 2 Buttonwood Avenue, $19.7 million for 4674 Kingston Road and $12.8 million for 108 Harrison Avenue.

• The purchase of 720 Bathurst Street was allegedly structured using an anonymous buyer and proceeded without public disclosure of the appraisal supporting the purchase price.

• Residents near several shelter locations received little or no advance notice before sites were selected or purchased, according to the allegations in the claim.

• Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto is seeking court orders that would prevent further work on shelter sites it alleges do not comply with Council-approved criteria.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond.

About Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto

Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto is an Ontario not-for-profit corporation representing hundreds of residents in nine neighbourhoods near shelter sites across Toronto. Safe Neighbourhoods Toronto advocates for responsible siting and accountable operation of 24-hour emergency shelters, so people experiencing homelessness receive dignity and meaningful support, and neighbouring residents, children, and businesses can live and work in safe, livable communities.

For more information, visit www.safeneighbourhoodstoronto.ca.

Media inquiries: safeneighbourhoodstoronto@gmail.com