Under one roof: Quebec families embracing intergenerational housing
Intergenerational housing is a long-standing tradition in many cultures. But some experts say the practice could become increasingly popular in Quebec as families battle the rising cost of living.
Originally from Algeria, Farid Boutalbi lives with seven people at his home in Mascouche, north of Laval.
"Both my parents, my brother and his wife, his two kids -- boy and girl -- and me," Boutalbi said of the arrangement.
He moved in with his family less than a year ago. He said buying house large enough for seven in Montreal, and even Laval, was too costly.
For Boutalbi and his family, living under the same roof is a priority.
"In Algeria, we're used to living together. It's always been like that, you know?"
Farid Boutalbi lives with his parents, his brother, his sister-in-law, his niece and his nephew. (CTV News/Sasha Tema)
McGill architecture professor Avi Friedman studies housing options for Quebec's eldery, as the province faces an aging population.
One of those alternatives is multigenerational housing, which he says comes with multiple benefits.
"Old people that interact with young ones have the opportunity to transfer cultural aspects and educate children," Friedman told CTV News. "They feel wanted, they feel young, and they are commonly very active."
It's something that Gertrude Falardeau, who has been living with her daughter and grandson for 15 years, can attest to.
"If I didn't have the chance to live with [my family], I probably wouldn't have made it to 101 years," said the centenarian.
Her grandson, 30-year-old Maxime Genois, says it's a privilege to live with his family.
"I can have discussions with her and learn life lessons," he said.
101-year-old Gertrude Falardeau lives with her daughter and grandson. (CTV News/Sasha Teman)
In addition to the family connection, Friedman says multigenerational living also brings financial stability.
"If they join the means of the older member of the family, all the pension that they will get, with their own income, I believe that there can be a good economy that will enable those two families to live comfortably."
A move he finds far more cost-effective than seniors going into a long-term care home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.