On December 10, 2024, BBT spoke to the City of Ottawa’s Built Heritage Committee about Smart Living’s development application. One BBT member used her five minutes to bring to light Smart Living’s financial distress, and to argue that they can’t be trusted financially to follow through on the redevelopment of Bank Block.
Only one committee member chose to respond to the tenant’s deputation.
Councillor and committee vice-chair Stephanie Plante asked, “Who in staff could get me some information about these financials that were presented … this is a huge red flag if this is true. Who do I need to follow up with on this?”
“Chair, Legal Services can provide that information to members of council,” the city staffer responded.
“Can I get that within the next two weeks?” Plante asked.
“Yes, Chair.”
At BBT’s eviction hearings for the demoviction at the Landlord and Tenant Board, tenants tried to bring up Tamer Abaza and Rakan Abushaar’s financial distress, but the adjudicator rejected their witness.
SLP Finances in Numbers – Before the City of Ottawa Voted on the Bank Block Redevelopment
$0.5 million
The amount of municipal property tax owed to the City for one property
$ UNKNOWN
An unknown amount is owed to the Canada Revenue Agency
< $20
While SLP said they were used rental income to pay property taxes, in reality than $20 was actually paid to the City of Ottawa.