Derelict property owners are now listening to the city. Since 2023, its problem properties team, led by the fire department, has been proactively identifying and addressing properties that pose a risk to the community. “It got to a point where there were fires happening on a weekly basis in communities like Alberta Avenue,” said Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador. “That has really reduced and people are starting to see things cleaned up and that their neighbourhood is being taken care of.” The initiative has been a passion project for Salvador since she was first elected five years ago. “Board up these properties, fence them off, and if they’re still not compliant and are being breached, we can require 24/7 security on site, and as you can imagine, that gets very costly because it gets charged back to the property owner,” explained the councillor. In three-and-a-half years, the team has inspected more than 2,300 different properties, issuing 1,800 tickets. Nearly 2.5 million pounds of debris and garbage has been removed from those properties and more than 700 vacant properties that posed a fire risk to the community have been secured. The city also claims to have influenced nearly 500 demolitions by owners, with many of those lots now redeveloped. “It’s been so rewarding to hear directly from community members who are seeing change on the ground in their neighbourhood and are feeling safer,” said Salvador. The city said it has saved millions of dollars in just a few short years by collecting fines through the initiative and fewer calls made to bylaw and emergency crews. Problem properties can be reported through 311.
