During a press conference following her meeting with Mr. Trudeau, the Mayor of Montreal called for greater collaboration between federal and provincial governments, but also with the private sector, project promoters and organizations to prioritize the housing crisis.
In her opinion, due to inflation and rising interest rates, construction sites are becoming increasingly scarce, especially in metropolitan France, where Quebec has the greatest concentration of residents. “We have to preserve the stock, but we have to build apartments,” emphasized Ms. Plante. It is absolutely necessary. If it falls to market levels, that’s one more reason for the state to invest, that’s part of its mission.
Regarding the federal government’s commitment to helping Canadian cities deal with the crisis, Ms Plante expresses a positive sign. “Thumbs up,” she said, while hinting that she would like to receive more housing funding from Ottawa, including through joint applications with the provincial government.
Housing programs that start at the federal level and go straight to cities, including the Rapid Housing Initiative, work, Ms. Plante says. “We’re happy with that and would like more, but I’m willing to help the Quebec government go to the federal level,” she added. We ask for money and help where we can.
“Everyone is mobilized: the private sector, funders, organizations, governments… But you have to have a vision and I think that’s what’s missing at the moment.” This is a vision, especially at the provincial level. […] We must mobilize all these forces. »
– A quote from Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Mayor of Montreal discussed the real estate crisis, but also public transport financing and municipal taxation.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
She described her situation as extremely uncomfortable when the federal and state governments disagree on the financing of housing and infrastructure. It’s not easy for us, we’re a bit between tree and bark. […] It’s very special, it’s extremely uncomfortable.
Referring to the controversial Bill 31 recently tabled by France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister responsible for housing, Ms Plante believed that the baby should not be thrown out with the bath water, as the text contains good elements that refer to it In the case of a renovation, the burden of proof now lies with the owner.
Criticized by both tenants’ associations and landlord groups, Bill 31 specifically aims to give landlords the right to refuse a lease assignment, a measure used by tenants to discourage rising rents.
That’s for sure [les mesures] “The question of the assignment of the lease worries me,” said Ms. Plante. If there are so many leases, it’s because there aren’t mechanisms in place to ensure the tenant knows what price has been paid, she adds. So we’re exchanging a rental contract and we’re sure we have the same conditions.
The mayor also reiterates that her administration is determined to legislate to prevent renovations, but also subdivisions and the problem of upheaval. [qui] is extremely problematic because we know that this directly contributes to price increases and also affects the economic, cultural and social mix in our neighbourhoods.
On Thursday, media outlets La Presse and Pivot announced that Minister Duranceau had completed at least one property conversion in Montreal’s La Petite-Patrie neighborhood shortly before taking office in 2022.
The phenomenon known as “renoction” is on the rise in Montreal.
Photo: Radio Canada / Ivanoh Demers
Finally, Ms. Plante was asked about the problem of homelessness in Montreal. Again, she bemoaned Quebec’s lack of vision while affirming that the City of Montreal cannot act alone.
“As I urge the Quebec government to have a clear vision on housing, what is their vision for assisting the most vulnerable in our society who are in need? […] to Montréal? »
– A quote from Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
We’re happy to welcome everyone, but we have to find a balance, and the balance is fragile, she says. I’m looking for solutions, but I need the Quebec government to make it clear that in their vision of housing there is an understanding that if these people had a roof over their heads, they wouldn’t be on the streets .
As for housing, Quebec currently has its lowest vacancy rate (1.7%) in more than 20 years, according to data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), cited in a letter to Prime to elected local officials and housing stakeholders Minister François Legault, published this week.
The Legault administration is proud to have invested an extra billion dollars in housing in the last budget. He accuses previous governments of investing too little in affordable housing.