Popular Toronto hostel sends guests eviction notices

Located in a series of Victorian houses on Widmer Street between Richmond and Adelaide, Canadiana Backpackers Inn has been providing weary travellers with a cozy place to stay for more than 15 years. But that's all about to change. The hostel will close its doors on May 1 to make way for another residential tower.

Long term hostel residents received eviction notices from owner Chris Morgan yesterday, detailing how construction on the incoming tower would begin about one year earlier than expected. These guests now have less than two months to find new homes - many of Canadiana's staff members currently live on site.

According to a zoning amendment report (PDF), the northwest side of Widmer Street will soon look a lot like its neighbours - a 41-storey building might replace the existing houses at 40 to 58 Widmer Street.