The family of an 81-year-old Toronto woman whose home was destroyed by construction of a Ontario Line She said she was “coerced” into selling the home she had owned for 53 years for an “unreasonable” price.
The Ontario Line is a project of Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency.
The property in question is located at the intersection of Pape and Langley avenues.
“The area is growing – 10 million people are expected to live here by 2041 – but public transport is not keeping up with the demand.” Metropolitan Communications its website states.
“Metrolinx may need to temporarily or permanently acquire property to support the construction and operation of important new transportation projects. If Metrolinx confirms that your property is needed, you will receive written notice from us letting you know that this is the case.”
“I do feel like she was taken advantage of,” said Maria Vernezos’ daughter, Georgia Silopoudis. “It was just bullying.”
The family disputed the appraisal of the property and said the square footage was incorrect. They said they submitted their own appraisal to prove the square footage was correct.
“These physical numbers and mathematical calculations mean nothing. They said, 'This is the reality, take it or leave it,' and then were forced to sign,” Xiropodis said.
“The communication had been inconsistent. So they were saying, 'No, we're not going to take it, don't worry about it, don't worry about it,'” she said. “And then, right in February, they said, 'No, it's a done deal, we're going to take it.'”
Bob Aaron, a real estate attorney who is not involved in the case, said the question of takings is not whether to take, but when and how much to take.
“When an eminent domain agency decides it needs a piece of private property, it exercises its legal authority to say 'We're going to take your property, we're going to pay you, we've determined what we think the market value is. If you don't like it, you can appeal, or you can sign, take our money, and walk away,'” Aaron said.
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“They have an absolute right to seize this property.”
The family shared with Global News a copy of the assessment Metrolinx sent them.
In 2023, Metrolinx cited a Colliers International appraisal report that valued the property at $1.59 million, “and that is the offer Metrolinx is making, plus an incentive payment of $10,000.00 if Maria signs a purchase and sale agreement within 30 days.”
The latest appraisal report sent to the family in February this year showed that the value of the property had dropped to $1.455 million.
Both appraisals were based on a 1,764-square-foot property, but the family said they informed Metrolinx that the property is actually 2,566 square feet.
“You have to sign a document that doesn’t even say the actual square footage of your house,” Xiropodis said. “It doesn’t make sense. This has to be for everyone’s benefit. (It) doesn’t mean some people have to sacrifice.”
Her sister, Helen Vernezos, who lives in the six-bedroom house with her mother, said promises made by Metrolinx at the beginning were never fulfilled.
“'Don't worry, we'll find a house for your mom and the whole process will be smooth,' — they gave us so much false hope, and then we found out it wasn't going to happen. It was so frustrating,” she said.
Peter Tabuns, the Toronto-Danforth MLA, said the situation should have been handled differently.
“If you're going to put people in a situation where they have to make sacrifices, be generous and kind to them and make their lives easier,” Tabens said. “They didn't ask to move, they were forced to move. Don't make it harder than you have to. Ultimately, we all benefit from transit. We should make sure these people don't get hit hard.”
Metrolinx was also asked about square footage and dollar values, but in a statement the company told Global News it could not provide specific details about negotiations for individual properties because they are confidential matters, but that the company has been “in communication with the owners since 2022.”
Metrolinx added that it will “continue to work with the property owner throughout this process.”
“This property is necessary for construction of the Ontario Line, a subway line that will benefit the city for generations to come, putting more than 227,500 people within walking distance of the subway,” a Metrolinx spokesperson said.
“As part of our standard process, we provide homeowners with a preliminary offer based on an appraisal by a third-party certified appraiser. If a homeowner believes the property is inaccurately valued, they can obtain an independent appraisal report and make a final offer based on the appraisal report. “Expropriation Law”, The spokesperson added.
Aaron said if a homeowner receives a takings notice, they should immediately hire an attorney who specializes in takings matters.
“The attorney or homeowner needs an appraiser who has experience dealing with, or fighting Metrolinx or other taking agencies like school boards or municipalities,” Aaron said.
“It does happen,” he added. “It’s for the public good. But individual homeowners might not be too happy.”
Vernezos needed to leave home at the end of June, but the family didn't know where she would go.
“A five-bedroom, six-bedroom home in this area is selling for well over $2 million,” Helen Vernezos said.
Vernezos can apply to the Ontario Land Court, which will determine appropriate compensation.
“Both parties will present their respective appraisers,” Aaron explained.
“Each party will have an opportunity to question or cross-examine the other party's appraiser, and then the court will determine the fair market value,” he continued. “Maybe Metrolinx didn't know all the facts. Maybe they didn't know about some of the improvements on the house. Maybe they didn't know there was a business going on there and how much that business was worth to the land.”
