(Quebec) After many twists and turns, Bill 31 on housing will not be adopted before Christmas. Study of the bill will therefore resume at the beginning of next year.
Oppositions were very critical of this bill, in particular because of the desire of the Minister of Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, to attack the transfer of leases.
Québec solidaire and the Parti Québécois had offered their collaboration to the minister to adopt the bill before the holidays in exchange for relaxation on this contentious subject.
“Unfortunately, it would have been desirable to come to an agreement with the oppositions, but their proposals were unreasonable,” said the minister in a press scrum on Friday at the National Assembly.
” I’m disappointed. There are excellent measures for evictions in particular, for additional powers to cities which aim to accelerate construction,” added the minister.
The legislative process for Bill 31 was tumultuous. The detailed study was put on hold because the government also wanted to pass Bill 39 on municipal taxation. “We also had the need to pass this bill because it gives tools to cities. A lot of things are happening at the end of the session,” said the minister.
In October, the study of the legislative document on housing was interrupted, because the minister had to table a plethora of amendments, which had raised criticism from the oppositions.
A few days later, the oppositions slammed the door of the parliamentary committee to denounce the “blackmail” and “arrogance” of the Minister of Housing. France-Élaine Duranceau had affirmed that if the bill was not adopted before the holiday break, it would be the fault of the oppositions.
During the detailed study of the bill, the minister remained inflexible on the question of the transfer of lease, affirming that it was not a means of controlling rents. According to her, other provisions in the bill will protect tenants, particularly with regard to evictions. The article on the transfer of lease was adopted last week.
If the bill goes forward, a landlord will be able to refuse an assignment of lease for reasons other than serious ones. The minister defended herself by arguing that if an owner refuses to transfer the lease, the lease will simply be terminated.