Thousands of Montrealers took to the streets of Parc Extension to protest against Bill-31, a new law proposed in Quebec that would make it more difficult for tenants to transfer leases. The demonstration, organized by the Comité d’action de Parc-Extension (CAPE), RCLALQ Droit Au Logement, and the Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC-CTI), aimed to fight for housing rights and to denounce the Coalition Avenir Québec’s (CAQ) efforts to abolish lease transfers.
Gaurav Sharma, a community organizer from IWC-CTI, emphasized the urgent need for social housing and stressed the significance of international solidarity within local housing justice movements. The marchers demanded increased social housing options and expressed their opposition to potential rent increases permitted by Bill-31.
The existing law, which has been in place for over half a century, ensures that subletting tenants pay the same rent as the original tenant. However, if Bill-31 is passed, landlords would have the ability to both charge up to 10 percent more and reject lease transfers more easily. Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau faced criticism for suggesting tenants invest in real estate for cost control and claiming that lease transfers were being misused.
The protest garnered attention as the largest housing demonstration in Quebec’s history. Approximately 4,000 participants advocated against evictions, unfair rent hikes, and Bill-31.
Additionally, Québec Solidaire launched an online petition demanding that the province abandon its intention to block lease assignments. Lease assignments are critical as they provide a legal and legitimate way for tenants to terminate their leases when necessary, while allowing new tenants to secure housing at a reasonable price without facing excessive rent increases. Quebec Solidaire’s online petition states the government’s support for landlords at the expense of tenants is unacceptable.`
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