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Manitoba agency penalizes landlord after tenants say they were ousted on short notice

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg landlord has been assessed $9,000 in penalties after dozens of tenants were evicted on short notice from an apartment block.
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Stratford Hall, an apartment residence in north Winnipeg on Monday, July 22, 2024. A Winnipeg landlord has been assessed $9,000 in penalties after dozens of tenants were evicted on short notice from an apartment block. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg landlord has been assessed $9,000 in penalties after dozens of tenants were evicted on short notice from an apartment block.

Manitoba's consumer protection minister, Lisa Naylor, says the $9,000 is the maximum available under current law, and she is reviewing the law with an eye to possibly raising the amount for future cases.

She also says the money covers nine tenants, and if more tenants come forward to complain, more penalties could be added.

Some of the tenants said they were forced out on a few hours’ notice in July by a new landlord who put some of their belongings on the front lawn.

The provincial Residential Tenancies Branch investigated, and has issued financial penalties which can be appealed.

Attempts by The Canadian Press to reach the owner of the building, have not been successful, and his lawyer told the CBC he has launched an appeal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024

The Canadian Press