Solutions to Quebec's housing crisis? Opposition parties have five
Opposition parties in the national assembly are tossing out proposals for how to solve Quebec's housing crisis, arguing that the government's housing bill lacks sufficient answers.
Official Opposition Liberals want a QST exemption on building materials, millions of dollars for municipalities to cut bureaucratic delays and a rapid connection to hydro.
Quebec solidaire (QS), meanwhile, wants tax credits for intergenerational homes, in addition to an end to blind bidding.
The CAQ's housing legislation (Bill 31) was introduced by Housing Minister France-Elaine Duranceau and would limit the use of lease transfers, new rules for landlords on rent rates, ammendments to eviction rules and other housing issues. The bill is expected to be adopted in the coming weeks.
Intergenerational home builds
QS attempted to propose amendments to the CAQ bill but was unsuccessful.
The second opposition party proposed ending the blind bidding process, arguing that it inflates housing prices, and on Sunday, they suggested introducing a tax credit for the conversion or construction of intergenerational homes.
"The housing crisis affects young people looking to buy their first home as much as older people who prefer to enjoy their retirement surrounded by their family rather than in a retirement home," said QS MNA Andres Fontecilla. "Thanks to our measure, families who want to live together under the same roof will have the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: save money while helping to take the pressure off the market."
QS proposes to match Canada's CIRHM tax credit and offers a 15 per cent credit of eligible expenses of up to $50,000, for a maximum of $7,500.
"The savings made by converting and building intergenerational homes go beyond the tax credit," said Fontecilla. "Hydro bills, snow removal, municipal taxes and even groceries could all be shared, helping families to cope with the rising cost of living."
Three Liberal proposals
The Liberals say that residential construction projects are being delayed due to a lack of Hydro-Quebec connections, in addition to bureaucratic logjams in getting permits from the city.
In addition, the party argues that by eliminating the provincial sales tax from construction materials, housing starts will increase.
The PLQ proposes earmarking $200 million for municipalities to reduce the time it takes to analyze housing files and issue building permits.
"The six years lost to the CAQ have left Quebec in a precarious housing situation, and concrete action is urgently needed," said PLQ housing critic Virginie Dufour.
Dufour said there is a lack of tangible solutions in the CAQ's bill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Slovakia's populist prime minister shot in assassination attempt, shocking Europe before elections
Slovakia's populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday after a political event in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe.
Transport Canada's UFO 'lead' planned to meet with U.S. intel officials, called info requests a 'wild goose chase'
Canada's transportation department had a UFO 'lead' who tried to 'quell' media interest and planned to meet with U.S. intelligence officials.
'Very expensive lunch': Sask. driver handed a cell phone ticket for using points app in McDonald's drive-thru
A warning from a Saskatoon driver about using your fast-food app while in the drive-thru line — a trip to get some free lunch cost him a lot more than he bargained for.
'The Fly' has become notorious in France after a brazen escape. What's his criminal history?
A prisoner nicknamed “The Fly” has become notorious in France overnight after a daring and bloody escape from a prison convoy in Normandy that left two guards dead.
Ontario's 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski arrested
Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed 'crypto king' from Whitby, Ont., has been arrested in Durham Region after allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
Barge hits a bridge in Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
A barge slammed into a bridge pillar in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a smaller and separate island that is home to a university, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Person responsible for 1996 drugging of 'Titanic' crew likely not a local: Halifax police
Halifax Regional Police believe a non-resident could be responsible for the infamous drugging of numerous crew members of the 'Titanic' movie with a hallucinogenic in 1996.
Latest updates on the biggest wildfires burning in Canada
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.
OPINION If you think you can’t focus for long, you’re right: Sandee LaMotte
Regaining your focus requires you to be mindful of how you are using technology -- a daunting task if you consider the average American spends at least 10 hours a day on screens.