Plante says Quebec budget ignores Montreal's housing needs
As with all budgets, there are critics. The mayor of Montreal says she only had two requests of the Quebec government and one of them was ignored.
Despite new buildings going up in Montreal, Mayor Valerie Plante says it's harder than ever for some people to find a place to live.
"The needs for housing in Montreal [are] crazy," she said Wednesday.
- READ MORE: Quebec budget 2023-2024: Here are the highlights
In the lead-up to the budget, money for housing was one of only two demands made by the city. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Montreal's vacancy rate is less than three per cent.
There is money in the budget to build affordable units in the province, but as for social housing the mayor says there's just enough money to cover the backlog of units waiting to be built.
It still leaves 24,000 families waiting.
"I know there's going to be another crisis. Let's be honest," Plante said. "There's going to be more people in shelters, and shelters will ask for more resources from Quebec to make sure everyone is fed. We see it coming."
But Quebec Premier François Legault says it's not a money problem, it's bureaucracy.
"It's a question of finding the right plans, to give all the permits rapidly. So, the money is available. And the Minister of Finance — it's a bit funny, he's telling me, since two years, we're not able to spend the money," the premier said.
Housing was one of many criticisms in question period, with the opposition also taking aim at the income tax cuts, saying it doesn't provide enough savings for lower-income Quebecers because the more you earn, the more you get back.
"If that government wanted to help people, they would have helped the people at the bottom in priority," said Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, co-spokesperson of Québec Solidaire.
Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was also critical of the provincial budget.
We learn this morning that the inflation at the grocery store is still at 10 per cent. So, how àre low-income persons or families going to cope with such an important inflation with a tax cut that is worth $200?" the PQ leader said in Quebec City.
Quebec Liberal Finance Critic Frédéric Beauchemin said, "A three per cent increase of the solidarity credit is like $8. If you're making $20,000 a year, it's ridiculous."
For the mayor's part, she wants to put together a so-called tactical team to figure out how to solve the lack of housing without the province's help.
"Housing is often the last element before you lose everything," she said, adding that the Quebec government should be treating housing as a fundamental right.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.