Former Québec solidaire spokesperson Françoise David is delighted that the Legault government plans to call Bill 198, which aims to broaden the protection of seniors in the face of evictions.
“I am delighted, because with the crisis that everyone is experiencing, if there is something to further protect seniors, I would be very sincerely happy,” declared the former spokesperson for Québec solidaire François David, during a press scrum on the sidelines of an assembly organized by QS on tenants’ rights, Sunday in Montreal.
In February 2023, Québec solidaire proposed a bill to expand the scope of the “Françoise David law”, which since 2016 has granted protection to seniors aged 70 and over living for more than 10 years in their home.
Québec solidaire asked the government to broaden the criteria to include people aged 65 and over, with modest incomes, who have lived in their home for at least five years.
“If passed, it would further protect senior tenants. It’s not a panacea and it doesn’t solve all the problems, but for older tenants and especially women, it would provide one more tool,” says M.me David.
Towards a discussion in the Assembly
The Legault government confirmed to Québec solidaire that it intends to call the bill next week, said the party’s co-spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
There are several steps left before the bill is adopted, specifies M.me David. She explains that in parliamentary jargon, “we first call” a bill and then we “discuss” it. “I will have a great interest in following the work until the end. »
For Mr. Nadeau-Dubois, the government’s intention to call the bill “is a glimmer of hope for tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands of seniors in Quebec who want to keep their housing and who do not don’t want to end up on the street.”
He argues that the government rarely calls opposition bills in the National Assembly. “This is an opportunity that we should not miss,” he declared, adding that he was reaching out to the government of François Legault. “Let’s work together this week to protect Quebec seniors against evictions. We are capable of doing it. It’s time to unite. »