Letter to MPP Jessica Bell in response to false statements from John Zam:
John,
Would you like to clarify why you lied to MPP Bell and alleged I contacted the Fire Department, City Inspector, and the ESA for the elevator disturbance this spring when you are aware that I contacted them about the HVAC disturbance this winter? Was your intention to mislead her into thinking that multiple authorities had investigated this elevator disturbance when that is, in fact, not true? If you stand behind this statement, please provide me of your proof that I complained to these authorities about this most recent disturbance.
Unless of course by city inspector you meant the noise enforcement unit. In which case, I have them on video saying they would not be able to sleep in my unit without noise machines or sleep aids. Do you consider that a habitable environment for someone with two noise-sensitive disabilities? Why are you still forcing me into functional homeless rather than fulfill your human rights obligations?
Looking forward to your response.
Apologies for the delay in this response, I’ve been out of country.
I’d like to address a number of contradictions and misrepresentations in John’s communication that resulted in you enabling discrimination, although I’m sure that wasn’t your intention. For transparency, I’m ccing property management as well.
Medical Conditions:
First, I’d like to articulate the stakes: I am a person living with two noise-sensitive disabilities– Chronic Migraine and a sleep disorder called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. Chronic Migraine is a neurological condition that I cannot control—it’s considered as debilitating by the WHO as quadriplegia. One of its symptoms is noise sensitivity. What one person characterizes as “barely perceptible” can be like torture to someone with my brain functions.
John is aware of these diagnoses and has been provided with medical documentation.
Displacement:
John knows I’ve been displaced from my home since June because of this noise. I’m not being too sensitive—I’m neurologically disabled. John refused to attend my unit to observe the noise for three months, claiming to be too “busy.” He only did so after the city intervened. He’s also taken no steps to address my ongoing functional homelessness (I’m living in a travel trailer while paying full rent).
I struggle to see how that’s being “very responsive.”
Disturbance this Winter:
John’s own conduct is a significant contributor to how debilitating this disturbance is to me.
My chronic migraine condition was managed for years until an HVAC disturbance this winter created 24/7 noise in my apartment for five consecutive months. That disturbance was experienced by multiple tenants, observed by the Electrical Safety Authority, and witnessed by multiple people in my unit.
It exacerbated my migraine condition such that I required a new medication regiment, specialist referral, and intervention for suicidal ideation. I am still receiving treatment because of that disturbance. John was fully aware and informed in writing and took no action and made no human rights accommodations because he alleged the HVAC noise didn’t exist in my unit. He made that veritably false claim while repairing the same disturbance in other units.
He is now following the same playbook with the elevator disturbance.
Frankly, John is now refusing to do any maintenance in my unit—including repairing damage his own contractors caused. I have outstanding work orders from March.
Authority Involvement:
During the HVAC disturbance, I involved Fire and the ESA because tenants were using camp stoves, ovens, and multiple electric space heaters to heat their apartments. Apartment lights were flashing in time with the “humming” sound and one tenant reported feeling electric shocks when she touched her walls.
John is now trying to mischaracterize me as being difficult for reporting those obvious safety issues, when his own systemic neglect necessitated authority involvement.
I invite you to ask yourself: Would you feel safe living in a building where your neighbour was using a space heater, camp stove, and their oven for heat while your lights were flashing in time with a mysterious humming noise? While management was denying to you in writing that these verifiable, recorded, witnessed, building-wide, multi-tenant issues even existed? Or would you take a stand?
The Ongoing Elevator Disturbance:
When Toronto Bylaw observed the elevator noise in my unit, the officer said he would not be able to sleep there without noise machines or earplugs. I have that statement recorded.
It’s exponentially worse for me with my neurological conditions.
Multiple tenants are also being affected by John’s own admission—I’m not the tenant he referred to in the Tuesday complaint. I wasn’t even in the country then. It begs the question of how multiple people are observing and reporting an issue that allegedly doesn’t exist.
Regardless, characterizing the noise as “barely perceptible” is patently and verifiably false. Again, I encourage you to listen to the videos I have previously linked yourself.
Active and Ongoing Discrimination:
John ignored my complaints about the elevator for months despite knowing about my disabilities and displacement, but sent a tech to address the main disturbance—the brake banging—immediately when another tenant complained. He himself documented that to you. That is textbook discrimination.
The banging has lessened but the overall disturbance remains. John continues to refuse to take action—now alleging that he’s waiting for the city to compel him to act.
Elevator Tech and TSSA:
No, the most recent visit from a tech who addressed “minor” brake issues does not bring me peace.
From the government’s own report:
“…large elevator maintenance companies…have not maintained most of Ontario’s operating elevators in accordance with safety laws… The percentage of elevators and escalators failing their safety inspections has risen to above 80%…Serious non-compliance issues … include overdue maintenance work to prevent brake malfunction, and wear and tear on cables and other components.”
Again, the noise disturbance includes banging, chain rattling, whirling, and creaking. This is new noise and it is worsening.
Required Action:
I have a right to quiet enjoyment and a right to human rights accommodations and neither of these obligations are being met by management.
Your communication only serves to validate management’s inaction and further enable an almost year-long, documented history of active and ongoing discrimination that is causing severe harm to my health and ability to earn a living.
There is also potentially a serious safety risk.
I want to know that the TSSA has inspected and found no issues with these elevating devices.
That an elevator tech is reporting “minor” brake issues has no bearing on the reality of this situation. The government’s own assessment shows that elevator techs grossly misrepresent facts and approve unsafe devices.
If this disturbance is not something that requires repair according to the TSSA, then I can feel safe riding the elevators while I pursue remedies for soundproofing.
If you are not able to appropriately consider the issues at hand, then please escalate this to MP Bell or your supervisor directly.
I will happily provide proof for every assertion I made in this email.
—- On Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:25:15 -0400 Bell-CO, Jessica <JBell-CO@ndp.on.ca> wrote —
Hi XXX,
I hope you’re well. I received a response from John Zam yesterday evening. Just to note, I did not name you as the complainant in my email to him. Here is his response, and I’ve also attached a copy of the technician’s report.
The elevators at 30 Hillsboro Avenue are inspected monthly by a licensed company, Quality Allied Elevator. Following the initial complaint in June, a thorough inspection was conducted and no abnormalities were found.
On Monday, I personally visited the unit in question along with another staff member. The noise reported by the resident was barely perceptible to us in her unit. At one point, the resident asked if we heard the sound, and both of us looked at each other, unsure, as we had not noticed anything unusual.
On Tuesday, a technician responded to another complaint and again confirmed that the elevators are functioning properly. The only issue noted was a minor clicking sound when the brakes disengage, which the technician was able to reduce. Report from Elevator Technician is attached.
The resident has contacted multiple agencies—including the ESA, TSSA, City Inspector, and Fire Department—alleging elevator malfunction. To date, we have not received any formal orders or directives from these authorities requiring action.
It sounds like the property management team has been very responsive to your concerns and have completed an inspection. I hope this gives you some peace of mind.
If I do hear anything back from TSSA I will let you know.
Sincerely,
Briarlane Tenants 