1. Name and Purpose

1.1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Toronto Tenant Union (“TTU” or “the Union”).

 

1.2. Purpose and Vision

The Union is a membership-led, democratic, city-wide tenant union organized to build working-class tenant power in Toronto. The Union recognizes that Toronto exists on stolen Indigenous land and that the housing crisis is inseparable from the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous peoples.

 

The Union exists to fight for a city where housing is treated as a human need rather than a commodity. We aim to end the for-profit housing system, move homes into public, non-profit, and collective ownership, and build the power needed for tenants to govern the places we live. 

 

The Union’s broader political vision, strategy, and long-term goals are set out in A City of Tenants, which serves as the Union’s guiding vision document.

 

1.3. Definition of the word “tenant”

Anyone who doesn’t own the place where they live, regardless if they meet the legal definition of “tenant” under the Residential Tenancies Act

2. Membership

2.1. Definition

A member is any person who registers by paying dues or committing to volunteer hours, and who agrees to the Union’s purpose, political vision, and code of conduct. A member must reside within the Greater Toronto Area. No landlord is permitted to become a member of the Union. Home owners may join as associate members without voting rights.

 

Membership is dues-based. In case a prospective member is unable to pay dues, they are welcome to become a member by donating volunteer time.

 

Members may participate in the activities, meetings, branches, working groups, and other formations of the Union. Unless otherwise specified in this document, members become eligible to vote in Union-wide matters, and to run for elected positions, 1 month after registration.

 

Members ordinarily participate through a neighbourhood branch, but may also choose to be recognized as at-large members under procedures set by the Steering Committee.

 

2.2. Code of Conduct

Members are expected to meet a minimal standard of comradely behavior that supports collective organizing, democratic decision-making, and mutual accountability. Unacceptable behaviour includes creating a hostile, discriminatory, abusive, or undemocratic environment; harassment; intimidation; misuse of Union resources; misrepresentation of the Union; and persistent disruption of Union spaces.

 

The code of conduct applies to all Union meetings and events, all Union-affiliated online spaces, and all activities conducted under the name of the Union.

 

2.3. Suspension or Expulsion

A member may be suspended or expelled for serious or repeated code of conduct violations, conduct fundamentally incompatible with the Union’s purpose and political vision, or actions that materially undermine the Union’s organizing.

 

Suspension or expulsion requires written notice describing the concern(s) and an opportunity to respond. Suspension or expulsion requires a 2/3 vote of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may impose a temporary suspension immediately, by a 2/3 vote, when necessary to prevent harm or serious disruption, pending a fuller review.

 

A member may appeal a suspension or expulsion to the next Convention or to a Special Meeting called for that purpose, under procedures set by the Steering Committee.

3. Staff

3.1. Definition and Responsibilities

The Union may hire staff as needed to sustain day-to-day operations. Staff employment will be on a contractual basis, and be hired by the Steering Committee. Staff are eligible to be voting members of the Union, but not take up any positions of elected leadership. 

 

At minimum, staff are expected to adhere to the following responsibilities:

• Receive instructions and directives from the Steering Committee

• Attend Steering Committee meetings as a non-voting member

• Actively participate in their local branch

• Prepare relevant summary reports of their work in the Union for the Steering Committee and general membership on a regular basis

 

3.2. Membership development

The Union is a membership-led and democratic organization. Staff are expected to actively support membership participation in the Union through mentorship, sharing responsibilities, sharing workload, and actively identifying members to take on further leadership, as feasible.

4. Basic Organization and Conventions

4.1. General Membership

The General Membership, exercised through Conventions and Special Meetings, is the highest decision-making authority of the Union.

 

At these meetings, members set strategy, adopt priorities, amend governing documents, and elect leadership.

 

Unless otherwise specified in this document or in rules adopted by Convention, membership decisions are made by a simple majority (more than 50%) of those voting. 

 

New resolutions or amendments can be brought about based on a co-sponsorship threshold of 5 verified backers from the general membership.

 

4.2. Conventions

The Union will hold an annual Convention. The Convention sets strategic priorities, receives reports from the Steering Committee, branches, working groups, and other formations, passes a budget, and elects the Steering Committee.

 

The Steering Committee must announce the Convention date and key deadlines no fewer than 60 days in advance. A process for proposal submission, proposal amendments, proposal reconciliation, and registration must be included in the Convention announcement.

 

4.3. Special Meetings and Recall Elections

A Special Meeting may be called by a majority vote of the Steering Committee or by petition of at least 1/3 of branches.

 

A Special Meeting may be called for any purpose within the authority of the General Membership, including strategy, amendments, leadership questions, or the recall of one or more Steering Committee members.

 

Notice of a Special Meeting must be provided at least 7 days in advance, unless extraordinary circumstances require shorter notice, in which case the Steering Committee must provide a written justification.

 

If a Special Meeting is called for the purpose of recalling one or more Steering Committee members, the meeting must be convened no sooner than 2 weeks after the petition and no later than 4 weeks after the petition.

 

Recall of a Steering Committee member requires a majority vote of those voting at the Special Meeting. If a Steering Committee member is recalled, an election to fill the vacancy may take place at the same Special Meeting, following the applicable election procedures set out elsewhere in this document.

 

4.4. Voting

Every member has the right to, 1 month after registration:

• Vote for and run for Steering Committee representative elections;

• Vote for and run for branch Organizing Committee representative elections;

• Participate in branch-based votes related to city-wide electoral endorsements.

These elections and votes are collectively referred to as Citywide Internal Votes.

 

Electronic ballots must be made available to all members for Citywide Internal Votes in an accessible manner. Coordination of these votes is handled by the Tech and Research Coordinator and the Co-Chairs, and/or by a group approved by the Steering Committee.

 

Each voting member registers with 1 branch or as at-large. Registration is part of each online ballot and requires no additional steps. A member votes through only 1 branch (or at-large) for Citywide Internal Votes, based on their registration at the time of that vote.

 

4.5. Rules

At Convention, all resolutions and reports include a question-and-answer period followed by structured debate. The Steering Committee (or a committee it appoints) sets meeting rules for a Convention or Special Meeting, subject to modification and approval by the membership at the meeting.

5. Branches

5.1. Definition and Responsibilities

Branches exist to build tenant power at the neighbourhood level, coordinate and encourage collective tenant struggles, support tenant associations, skill-share and build expertise, grow membership, and connect local organizing to city-wide strategy.

 

Branches are the primary venue through which tenants encounter struggles beyond their own buildings and practice solidarity across struggles.

 

The membership of a branch, exercised through General Meetings, is the highest decision making authority within the branch.

 

5.2. Formation and Dissolution 

A branch may be formed with Steering Committee approval, based on a written proposal by members seeking to be part of that branch, outlining the proposed geographic area, initial membership, leadership structure, and plan for regular activity.

 

A branch may be dissolved by the Steering Committee if it becomes persistently inactive or fails to meet basic responsibilities, following a sincere attempt to support and remedy the situation.

 

5.3. Organizing Committee

Each branch must maintain an Organizing Committee responsible for branch coordination, administration, and leadership. At minimum, the Organizing Committee must include a Chair or Co-Chairs, a Secretary, and the branch’s Steering Committee Representative. Additional roles may be created by the branch as needed.

 

Branch leadership structures must remain democratic, accountable to branch membership, and appropriate to the size, needs, and organizing priorities of the branch.

 

The Organizing Committee’s primary mandate is to build and coordinate organizing within the branch. This includes supporting the formation and growth of Tenant Associations, developing new organizers and leaders, supporting membership growth and retention, coordinating campaigns and local struggles, and connecting branch activity to Union-wide strategy.

 

The Organizing Committee is expected to liaise actively with the Steering Committee and to regularly report to and seek direction from branch membership.

 

5.4. General Meetings

Branch general meetings are a time for member engagement, political education, organizing updates, training, and branch-level asks in the form of democratic resolutions. Branches must meet regularly, at minimum every 2 months.

6. Tenant Associations

6.1. Definition and Responsibilities

A Tenant Association is a tenant-led formation organized around a building or group of buildings, formed to engage in collective tenant organizing rather than solely information-sharing.

 

Tenant Associations are expected to maintain democratic internal structures, participate in Union-wide activity, support Union-led membership drives and political education, and engage in collective struggle consistent with the Union’s purpose.

 

6.2. Admission to and removal from the union

A Tenant Association may affiliate with the Union following a vote of its members to affiliate, the existence of at least a Chair and Secretary, and agreement with the Union’s vision, structure, and code of conduct. At minimum, the chair and secretary must be registered members of the Union. 

 

A Tenant Association ordinarily affiliates with the branch corresponding to its geographic location, and that affiliation is confirmed by a vote of the Tenant Association’s members. A Tenant Association may instead affiliate at-large with the Union rather than through any branch. Affiliation is approved by the relevant branch Organizing Committee, or by the Steering Committee in the case of an at-large Tenant Association

 

Affiliation with the Union may be suspended or revoked by the Steering Committee or its branch organizing committee for serious misconduct, persistent inactivity combined with refusal to engage, or violation of Union principles, following a sincere attempt to support and remedy the situation. 

 

6.3. Roles

Each Tenant Association maintains a leadership body responsible for coordination and administration. At minimum, this includes a Chair and a Secretary. Additional roles may be created as needed. Leadership structures are democratic and accountable to the Tenant Association’s membership.

7. Steering Committee

7.1. Definition and Responsibilities

The Steering Committee is the highest elected representative body of the Union. It coordinates and carries out the strategy set by the membership, provides political leadership, serves as public spokespeople, coordinates Union-wide infrastructure, and remains accountable to membership decisions.

 

The Steering Committee must meet as a whole at least 6 times annually. Between Conventions and Special Meetings, it develops strategy and plans to be presented at the annual Convention for debate and vote.

 

The Steering Committee coordinates and directs organization-wide activity across Toronto and oversees Union communications and media. It may delegate work to working groups or other bodies recognized by the Union. It may further convene joint meetings between branches, to further city-wide strategy, between conventions. 

 

The Steering Committee is responsible for approving and chartering new working groups and other Union formations. It also oversees major operational needs, including staffing (if any), office space (if any), and major financial expenses, consistent with budgets and membership decisions.

 

Each year, the Steering Committee provides an annual report summarizing the prior year’s work and outlining plans and goals for the coming year.

 

The Steering Committee may make operational decisions between membership meetings, but remains subject to review and direction by the membership through previously described participatory methods (e.g. convention propositions, special meetings…).

 

Unless otherwise specified in this document, Steering Committee decisions are made by a simple majority (more than 50%) of those voting.

 

7.2. Composition

The Steering Committee includes 2 Co-Chairs, 1 Secretary, 1 Treasurer, 1 representative elected from each branch, 1 Membership Culture and Education Coordinator, 1 Communications Coordinator, and 1 Tech and Research Coordinator.

 

7.2.1. Member roles

a) Co-chairs: The Co-Chairs are the chief spokespeople of the Union. They chair Conventions, Special Meetings, and Steering Committee meetings. They coordinate Steering Committee work, ensure decisions are implemented, support alignment across branches, working groups, and Union-wide strategy, and ensure the Union has clear political direction between Conventions. They handle external representation as directed by the membership and Steering Committee.

 

b) Secretary: The Secretary maintains Union records, including minutes of Steering Committee meetings and the records of Conventions and Special Meetings. The Secretary supports internal administration and communications, including notices, agendas, and circulation of documents. The Secretary also supports interpretation of this document when questions arise, subject to review by the Steering Committee and membership.

 

c) Treasurer: The Treasurer is the signing officer and oversees Union finances and material resources. This includes custody of funds including the Union solidarity fund, dues, regular financial reporting, preparation of an annual budget, and authorization of expenditures consistent with budgets and membership decisions. The Steering Committee may create financial support roles or working groups under the Treasurer’s oversight.

 

d) Branch Representative(s): Each Branch Representative brings branch priorities and proposals to the city-wide level and reports Steering Committee decisions back to the branch. They liaise directly with the branch Organizing Committee and ensure that there is an active focus on organizing. They support coordination across tenant associations and campaigns within their branch and help connect branch activity to Union-wide strategy. They remain accountable to their branch.

 

e) Membership, Culture, and Education Coordinator: The Membership, Culture, and Education Coordinator supports the growth and retention of membership, including onboarding, Union-led membership drives, and consistent membership practices across branches and tenant associations. They help foster a healthy organizing culture and sense of collective responsibility within the Union, and coordinate Union-wide political education initiatives and trainings as directed by the membership or Steering Committee.

 

f) Communications Coordinator: The Communications Coordinator leads Union communications, including public messaging, media relations, newsletters, and official online channels, consistent with Union decisions and strategy. They support rapid communications for active tenant struggles and help prevent misrepresentation by maintaining clear processes for authorization of public statements.

 

g) Tech and Research Coordinator: The Tech and Research Coordinator supports organizing tools and basic technical infrastructure, including systems used for internal democracy and administration. They support research, data needs for campaigns, data security and technical accessibility, and maintaining documentation to facilitate member access. In conjunction with the treasurer, they maintain the Union’s membership list. 

 

7.3. Elections and Terms

All Steering Committee members are elected at the Convention by the full membership, except branch representatives, who are elected by members of their branch only. Terms are 1 year unless otherwise defined by Convention.

 

In order to run for a Steering Committee position, candidates are required to secure the nomination of at least 10 other members. 

 

7.4. Vacancies 

In the event that there is a vacancy, the Steering Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy by a 2/3 majority vote, to serve the remainder of the term. 

 

If at least 1/3 of the Steering Committee is vacant simultaneously, by-elections must be held.

 

7.5. Removal

Steering Committee members may be removed for serious misconduct, failure to fulfill responsibilities, or persistent non-attendance. Removal requires a 2/3 vote of the Steering Committee and must be reported to the membership. The member must receive written notice of the concern(s) and an opportunity to respond before any removal vote.

 

7.6. Meetings

Steering Committee meetings may be held online, or in hybrid format. Meetings are open to members, though voting is limited to Steering Committee members. Minutes and voting records must be distributed and made accessible to the membership, subject to limited confidentiality exceptions.

 

7.7. Quorum

2/3 of voting Steering Committee members constitute a quorum.

 

7.8. Eligibility 

Paid staff, as well as elected city-, provincial-, and federal- officials, may not serve on the Steering Committee. 

8. Union Solidarity Fund

8.1 Definition and purpose

The Union will maintain and operate a Union Solidarity Fund (“the Fund”). The purpose of the Fund is to support major tenant struggles, campaigns, and strategic projects that significantly advance tenant power across the city. The Fund is separate from the Union’s general operating budget and may not be used for ordinary day-to-day operating expenses.

 

Examples of permitted uses of the fund include:

• Support for operational costs related to rent strikes;

• Material support for active tenant campaigns;

• Emergency solidarity support connected to major tenant struggles; and

• Other strategic expenditures approved by the Steering Committee that are consistent with the purpose of the fund.

 

Examples of prohibited uses of the fund include:

• Compensating staff;

• Donating to the campaigns of endorsed electoral candidates;

• Paying rent for Union offices;

• Covering ordinary administrative costs; and

• Any expenditure inconsistent with the purpose of supporting tenant struggles.

 

8.2 Contributions

The Union Solidarity Fund may receive contributions from endorsed elected officials, allied organizations, individual supporters, fundraising efforts, and other sources approved by the Steering Committee. Endorsed candidates who are elected are expected to contribute to the Union Solidarity Fund in accordance with the terms of their Memorandum of Understanding with the Union.

 

Membership dues are not earmarked for the Union Solidarity Fund unless otherwise directed by a Convention or Special Meeting.

 

8.3 Administration, Reporting, and Accountability

The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining records related to the Fund and for providing regular reports to the Steering Committee and membership on its status and use.

 

The Steering Committee has the authority to approve expenditures from the Fund between Conventions, subject to any limits, priorities, or other direction established by the membership, and rules outlined in this document.

 

The annual budget presented at Convention must include reporting on the status of the Fund, including contributions received, expenditures made, and the remaining balance.

9. Other Formations

9.1. Working Groups

Working Groups are formed as needed to carry out specialized work of the Union. They are approved and dissolved by the Steering Committee and must have a defined purpose and at minimum a Chair and Secretary.

 

9.2. Caucuses 

Caucuses are self-organized groupings of members around shared identity, ideology, or shared experience. Caucuses may be recognized by the Steering Committee and must adhere to the Union’s structure and code of conduct.

10. Electoral Endorsements

10.1. Purpose and Strategy

The Union may engage in electoral endorsements when doing so advances tenant power and aligns with Union strategy. Endorsements are one tactic among many and are only pursued when members believe they are strategic and when the work required does not prevent the Union from meeting its existing responsibilities.

 

The Union does not do paper endorsements. An endorsement involves substantive on-the-ground support during an election from both membership and leadership, and therefore requires public identification with the Union, and an active accountability relationship after the election.

 

The Union also recognizes that an elected official has to contend with numerous forces upon election, many of which are actively backed by landlords. In order to be flexible to changing circumstances, the Union will consider the following factors during an endorsement process called in:

• A proven track record of delivering meaningful wins for working-class tenants;

• A history of consistency and tenure in organizing and political movements;

• The strategic value of the race;

• The Union’s available capacity; and

• Whether the likely gains from endorsement exceed what could be achieved through direct tenant organizing alone.

 

10.2. Endorsement Process 

Candidates seeking endorsement must follow the following process:

1. Application: The candidate requests endorsement by submitting a written application agreeing to the Union’s endorsement terms and providing requested information as determined by the Steering Committee. If the candidate is running for an office covering all branches (e.g., mayor), then they must seek endorsement from at least 50% of those branches.

2. Branch leadership review: The relevant neighbourhood branch leadership reviews the application and votes on whether it proceeds to branch membership. 

3. Branch membership meeting: The candidate attends a branch meeting, answers questions, and is assessed by members.

4. Branch vote (candidate not present): The candidate leaves; branch members debate and vote to endorse by at least 60% of those present. 

5. Steering Committee final approval: The Steering Committee reviews the endorsement in light of city-wide strategy, capacity, and other elections, and votes on final endorsement.

 

10.3. Eligibility to Participate and/or Vote

No candidate seeking endorsement, opponent of a candidate seeking endorsement, or any member directly employed by or officially representing such a candidate may vote in the endorsement process for that endorsement.

 

10.4. Endorsement Meetings

Endorsement meetings must include candidate questioning, member-only debate, and a recorded vote.

 

10.5. Endorsement Terms

Endorsed candidates must sign a Memorandum of Understanding committing to publicly identify with the Union, meet regularly with Union leadership to align strategy, and contribute materially to Union solidarity efforts.

 

This includes a commitment to contribute 10% of their annual salary to the Union solidarity fund, or an equivalent financial arrangement negotiated with the Union.

 

10.6. Repealing Endorsement 

The Union may repeal an endorsement at any time before or after an election.

 

Repeal of an endorsement requires both a vote of the relevant branch or branches and approval by the Steering Committee, following the same general process used for endorsement.

11. Amendments

This document, as well as the vision document, may be amended by a 60% vote at Convention or at a Special Meeting. Proposed amendments must be circulated to the membership at least 14 days in advance, along with the text of the amendment and a brief motivation.

 

Subsequent to a Convention or a Special Meeting, the Steering Committee may appoint a Reconciliation Committee to reconcile conflicting amendments. Such a committee may only make changes that reflect the intentions of the amendments approved by the membership.