Quebec votes in favour of opposition bill to protect senior tenants from eviction
Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau -- like the vast majority of her CAQ colleagues -- has voted in favour of a motion by Quebec solidaire (QS) calling on the four political parties represented in the national assembly to work together to better protect vulnerable senior tenants from eviction.
Quebec solidaire MNA Christine Labrie's initiative follows her bill to extend the Françoise David Act to limit evictions of seniors from their homes.
"It gives me hope that we will work hand in hand to get my bill passed quickly. I very much look forward to working with Minister Duranceau and my colleague Andrés Fontecilla to better protect senior tenants from eviction," said Labrie after her motion was passed.
The 107 MNAs present in the Salon Bleu voted in favour of the motion.
Change of tone
Up until this week, there has been a change of tone on the part of the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) regarding the QS bill. Two weeks ago, although the government agreed to call the bill, it showed little enthusiasm for passing it.
On March 28, during the debate on the principle of the bill, Duranceau said that the first version of the Françoise David Act had negative effects while admitting that it was a "good measure."
According to her, landlords are reluctant to accept elderly tenants.
But on Tuesday, in a message on the social network X, Premier François Legault said he was open to looking at ways to "better protect seniors from the impact of the housing crisis."
On the same day, Duranceau said: "We have always said that we are open to discussion and reflection to ensure that we have the right public policy to help people."
The premier also indicated that the housing minister would be meeting Labrie in the next few days.
The Françoise David Act, which was passed in 2016, stipulates that a senior aged over 70 with a very low income who has lived in their home for more than 10 years cannot be evicted. The aim of the new QS Bill is to broaden the criteria to include people aged 65 and over who have been living in their dwelling for at least five years.
Text of the QS motion:
That the national assembly recognize that the housing crisis is affecting Quebec seniors in particular;
That it take note of the calls made by civil society to protect senior tenants from the impacts of the housing crisis;
That it ask all political parties represented in this House to commit to working together in good faith to improve the protection of vulnerable senior tenants against eviction.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 10, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.