PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS UNDER THE MEASURES RESPECTING PREMISES WITH ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY ACT, 2025 (MRPIDAA)- CALL FOR FEEDBACK

Overview:

The Ontario government is considering proposed new regulations under the Measures Respecting Premises with Illegal Drug Activity Act, 2025 (MRPIDAA).  The Act introduces significant obligations and potential liabilities for landlords and property managers regarding illegal drug activities on their premises. 

The Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing are seeking comments and feedback: regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca 

Key Provisions of MRPIDAA

• Prohibition:Landlords are prohibited from knowingly permitting their premises to be used for illegal drug activities as prescribed under the Act or from knowingly possessing proceeds of offences under the Act.
• Penalties:New provincial offences are created, with penalties for individuals and corporations, including fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment.
• Police Powers:If police have reasonable grounds to believe illegal drug activities are occurring, they may:
• Seize evidence of an offence;
• Order individuals to vacate a property (excluding residents);
• Order closure of places used for illegal drug activities (excluding residences);
• Recover certain enforcement costs.

Definition of “Landlord”

Under the MRPIDAA, “landlord” includes:

• Persons leasing premises for residential or commercial use;
• Tenants who have sublet premises for residential or commercial use.

Proposed Regulations

• Prescribed Offences:The Ministries are considering prescribing offences related to the unauthorized production of controlled substances or precursors and holding landlords accountable if they knowingly permit illegal drug production or trafficking on their premises.
• Clarification of “Landlord”:The Ministries are considering regulations to clarify, and potentially exempt, certain categories from the definition of “landlord”
• Proposed exempt accommodations and providers:
• Retirement homes, long-term care homes, and educational accommodations (e.g., student residences, institutional housing);
• Programs providing rehabilitative, therapeutic, employment support, or life skills development services; short-term respite care; and certain group living or intensive support residences;
• Accommodations governed by the Public Hospitals Act, Private Hospitals Act, Fixing Long-Term Care Act, Ministry of Correctional Services Act, or Child, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Community, supportive, and transitional housing providers, including non-profits, housing co-ops, municipalities, DSSABs, LHCs, and non-profit organizations;
• Private market landlords operating units with government-funded rent supplements for community/supportive housing.

Landlords and property managers are encouraged to review the proposed regulations and consider their potential impact on their operations. The Ministry of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN) and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) are seeking comments and feedback on these proposals. The deadline to submit feedback is March 8, 2026.  

Questions?

If you have any questions about this bulletin or any other residential tenancy matter, please reach out.

Kristin Ley is a Partner and the Practice Group Leader in the Multi-Residential Housing Group and she can be reached at: 

A series of Bulletins we have issued relative to Residential Tenancy Matters is available at this link: Cohen Highley Rent Control Bulletins