Housing Crisis Deepens in Montreal
As the city of Montreal grapples with a skyrocketing rental market, tenants are left reeling from a staggering 71% increase in asking prices for two-bedroom apartments since 2019. What was once an affordable $1,130 has ballooned to a crippling $1,930, according to Statistics Canada. Housing advocates are sounding the alarm, demanding action from the Quebec government as they watch the housing crisis deepen.
Government Inaction Fuels the Crisis
Despite existing rent control policies, the lack of a provincewide rent registry has left tenants vulnerable to exploitation. As reported by CBC News, tenants can challenge unjust rent hikes through Quebec's rental tribunal, but the reality is that landlords are not bound to follow guidelines. This creates an environment ripe for abuse, where landlords can raise rents without accountability.
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Grassroots Movements Demand Change
Advocacy groups such as Le Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) argue that a public rent registry would empower tenants to fight back against excessive increases. Catherine Lussier, FRAPRU co-ordinator, emphasizes that the absence of such a registry is a political choice, not a logistical issue. With 14 municipalities supporting the idea, momentum is building for a more transparent rental market.
Disingenuous Promises from Officials
Mayor Valérie Plante's administration has wavered on its commitment to a mandatory rent registry, citing legal hurdles that hinder the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) from recognizing municipal data. Instead, a paltry $30,000 was allocated to a non-profit's optional registry, which has only captured over 40,000 rents—far from comprehensive. As Adam Mongrain of Vivre en Ville notes, the Quebec government's reluctance to take control of the situation is puzzling given their previous claims about costs.
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Landlords Push Back Against Accountability
The Quebec Landlords Association (APQ) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed rent registry, arguing it would hinder their ability to keep up with rising costs. However, this stance reflects a troubling disregard for tenants' rights in a market that heavily favors landlords. The continued lack of accountability perpetuates an unjust system where tenants are left to fend for themselves against soaring rents.
The call for a rent registry is not just about numbers; it is about the fundamental right to housing. As the economic disparity widens, the need for systemic change grows more urgent. Without legislative action, the cycle of exploitation will continue to thrive, trapping tenants in a never-ending struggle for affordable housing.
