(Montreal) The Bloc Québécois is proposing nothing more and nothing less than a new “Marshall Plan”, similar to the one launched after the Second World War, to build thousands of housing units to meet demand.
Bloc MP Denis Trudel, spokesperson for social solidarity, presented his report on Wednesday after visiting 15 regions of Quebec and meeting 600 organizations in the housing sector. He saw people living in tents, in their cars, sometimes women with their children, in many municipalities.
In his eyes, this is a “humanitarian crisis” which requires intervention in several aspects and without delay.
“You could call it that: a kind of Marshall Plan, like what happened after the Second World War; say: it’s perfect, we build, we go there, we take the bull by the horns. We have to rebuild, we have to take care of our people, we have to build housing; We must carry out an ambitious housing construction program in the coming years in Quebec. It’s really fundamental,” said MP Trudel.
Ideally, he would like the federal government to withdraw from the housing sector, which does not fall under its jurisdiction. “The federal government should withdraw from housing and write a check, in proportion to what we pay in taxes in Quebec,” summarized the Bloc member.
Possible solutions
As he doubts that the federal government will do this, he still proposes other possible solutions, such as setting up an acquisition fund that would make it possible to purchase housing that is still affordable to make it sustainable.
Also, he proposes adopting measures to prevent speculation on housing.
Likewise, he suggests creating a low-rate loan program for first-time buyers. This would free up housing for other households.
He also advises redefining the term “affordable” in affordable housing programs, having seen an ad, in connection with a federal program, which advertised a three and a half room for $1,300 and a four and a half room for $2,000. .
He also recommends increasing funding for social and community housing.
It also proposes to simplify the programs and align the criteria with those of Quebec. Currently, three levels of government intervene in the housing sector, with different criteria in their programs, which causes delays that we cannot afford, argued MP Trudel.
It also recommends reducing interest rates for the construction of social and affordable housing for low-income people.