Hundreds demonstrate against Quebec housing bill
Several hundred people demonstrated in Montreal on Saturday to oppose Bill 31 on housing, saying it will weaken the rights of renters.
Bill 31 was initially meant to offer additional protection against so-called 'renovictions,' the practice of forcing out tenants under the guise of renovations, often with little or no compensation.
But housing advocates say they have more concerns, too. Quebec had the third fastest annual rental growth rate in Canada, at 13 per cent this year, despite regulations on rent increases.
Activists are calling for "an immediate rent freeze and the socialization of all new housing."
"I'm retired," said tenant Michael Fell. "I get one cheque -- and they want to up the rent to the price of that one cheque. Where are my groceries?"
During a parliamentary committee in the national assembly this week, housing activists discovered that Liberal housing critic Virginie Dufour introduced an amendment that would allow landlords to request a security deposit from tenants with domestic pets.
"We refuse the security deposits, because it's a barrier to tenants to have access to housing," said Andres Fontecilla, the Quebec Solidaire MNA for Laurier Dorion.
The pet clause would create a dangerous precedent, said protesters, because it would open the door to other types of rental deposits, currently illegal under any circumstances in Quebec.
"If anything, what it does is it opens the door to rental deposits generally," said Amy Darwish of the Park Extension housing committee. "It could create a context where people may have to go into debts just to keep pets. It will mean you can only have a pet if you're wealthy."
Bill 31 will also prevent tenants from transferring their lease to other people, and open the door for landlords to increase rents illegally when someone vacates their apartment.
Without a central registry of all dwellings, tenants fear they're at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords.
"Knowing your rights as a tenant is really essential to surviving as a tenant, because it really is a game of survival," said Darwish.
The Quebec government is expected to adopt the bill in early 2024.
- With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.