I believe the Ontario Tribunal has a limit of one year from the incident to take action through the tribunal... is this correct?

Regarding a civil suit... how long does a landlord have to sue a former tenant for damage in the landlord's home? If the tenant was not evicted, but moved out himself (and was never in arrers of rent, paid on time) and the landlord alleges to have discovered some damage to paint, and an overflown toilet that caused some damage to the basement drywall? How long does a landlord have to do a civil lawsuit against the former tenant? From the Ontario statute of limitations, for civil suits, I can see 2 years is the limit. Does this apply with a landlord? Or must the landlord go through the rental housing tribunal?

Thanks for your help!

Oops forgot to add: What if the landlord has no forwarding address for the former tenant? Does he automatically win the lawsuit if he files it within the limitations period? Or does the tenant have to be there to defend himself?