Hello, I live in Hamilton Ontario and my roommate kicked me out... I am not on the lease but had mail going to that address... She's telling me I can not have my items unless I pay her $500 which I believe is extortion... What do I do :(

Is $500 what you owe her in rent ?

Is $500 what you owe her in rent ?

Nope my father paid her already on August first for August and today is only the 25th and rent is only $400

You go to the police and you show ID showing you lives there. You tell them that the room mate refuses to allow you to get your things. The police should accompany you to allow you pick up your things.

Then file suit against her for an illegal eviction.

I agree, get something that shows you live there, and go to the polce

"Distress abolished

40. No landlord shall, without legal process, seize a tenant’s property for default in the payment of rent or for the breach of any other obligation of the tenant. 2006, c. 17, s. 40."
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, c. 17 (http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_06r17_e.htm#BK45)

Except the above doesn't seem to apply in the instant situation:

"Interpretation

2. (1) In this Act,
...
“landlord” includes,
(a) the owner of a rental unit or any other person who permits occupancy of a rental unit, other than a tenant who occupies a rental unit in a residential complex and who permits another person to also occupy the unit or any part of the unit,

... "