Quebec Government Threatens Montreal Tenants' Greatest Tactic To Keep Rents Low

Recently the Quebec Government proposed Bill 31 that would allow landlords to refuse lease transfers. Lease transfers help tenants regulate rent increases and prevent discrimination against some tenants.

On June 22nd, thousands of Montrealers gathered in the neighbourhood of Parc-Extension to protest Bill 31. CUTV attended the protest, showcasing Montrealers concerned for this new bill and heard stories shared by tenants who benefit from lease transfers, who have faced discrimination from their landlord or who have difficulty accessing or maintaining housing. 

Lease transfers help tenants regulate rent increase and prevent discrimination against some tenants. This includes racial discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, discrimination against parents with kids, those who have language barriers or immigrants.

Martin Blanchard, the spokesperson for the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec (RCLALQ) told Local 514 that consultations over Bill 31 will be held in September. He said he is unsure if RCLALQ will be invited to these consultations or not.  

Bill 31 was tabled two weeks ago by Quebec's Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau. The bill won't be debated until the fall, as the National Assembly goes into recess during the summer.

Montreal is currently experiencing a rental shortage and rent increases, which are continuing to grow.

Montreal’s biggest moving day of the year is approaching on July 1. Last July 1, around 600 households were homeless after moving day. With rents increasing and a shortage of affordable housing, many are concerned that hundreds of people might not find a new place to live before the beginning of July.

Bill 31 poses other changes to leases, including putting the burden of proof over evictions on landlords. If a tenant doesn't respond to an eviction notice, it's assumed they have refused. As a result, landlords will then have to go to the housing tribunal to plead their case for an eviction.