The Trudeau government is considering a “tenants’ charter of rights” that would force landlords to provide a “clear history” of rents, a proposal already seen as an affront to Quebec’s jurisdiction.
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In addition to helping tenants “fairly negotiate” their rent and establishing a standard pan-Canadian lease, this “charter” would also serve as a lever to “crack down on renovictions, establish a standard rental contract on a national scale and give more power to tenants,” says Ottawa.
Three weeks before the federal budget is tabled, Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled, in Vancouver, the most expensive city in the country, these policies capable of bringing back millennial and Generation Z voters, more and more tempted by the conservatives.
“We have reached a pivotal moment for millennials and Generation Z. They are full of talent and have enormous potential. They need to see and feel that our country can work to their advantage,” said Minister Freeland.
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“It’s no,” said Roberge.
The problem is that landlord-tenant issues are governed by the Quebec Civil Code and are therefore under provincial jurisdiction.
“So, it’s simple, it’s no,” said Quebec Minister of Canadian Relations Jean-François Roberge. “There is no question of tolerating this new invasion of Quebec’s areas of jurisdiction […]. If the federal government really wants to contribute […]that it reduces temporary immigration, that it reduces the number of asylum seekers at the moment.”
At his side, the Minister of Housing France-Hélène Duranceau assured that the fate of tenants has already been improved through Law 31, adopted last month.
Coincidentally, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante announced at the same time as Justin Trudeau measures to protect tenants, but backed down on the adoption of a rent register to delegate everything to Quebec.
An improved credit score?
The Trudeau government also intends to establish a $15 million fund intended for legal organizations specializing in, among other things, the defense of tenants against abusive increases and renovations.
Ultimately, he plans to “make tenants’ credit scores take into account on-time rent payments.”
Asked whether his proposals encroached on provincial jurisdiction, Justin Trudeau stressed that banks and financial institutions “are under federal jurisdiction.”
This applies to his proposal concerning the credit rating, but Mr. Trudeau did not comment on the encroachment of a possible “tenant charter”.
A welcome “pressure” on Quebec
For Martin Blanchard, of the Regroupement des logement committees et des associations de tenants du Québec (RCLALQ), and Véronique Laflamme, of the Popular Action Front in Urban Redevelopment (FRAPRU), the unexpected announcement from Ottawa demonstrates the magnitude that has taken over the housing crisis.
“For the rest of Canada, this announcement could make a difference where protections for tenants are very thin. That said, we do not sincerely think that the Quebec government is going to let the Canadian government impose a new lease on it. […] There is not much that comes under federal jurisdiction in this,” judges Véronique Laflamme.
In the same vein, Martin Blanchard says “well done” to the federal government on its intention to create a pan-Canadian standard lease, “but in Quebec, we have the “gold standard” on this: compulsory lease everywhere across the province “.
The latter, however, believe that Ottawa’s initiative adds pressure on Quebec to establish a tenant register. They also want the money paid to legal organizations to also be used for housing committees.