Parties promise tax credit to renovate rental housing

In the aftermath of the provincial elections, rental property owners in Quebec will have access to a more attractive financing program to renovate their homes, if the party in power keeps its word. All political parties likely to lead the government on October 1, have promised in various ways to improve the tax credits for renovation.

Each of them made the announcement during an election debate on housing organized by a group of six organizations, including CORPIQ, on September 19, in Laval.

The current Minister responsible for Housing and Liberal candidate in Anjou-Louis-Riel, Lise Theriault, believes it is important to review the financial assistance for renovation offered to "small" homeowners. "Often, their building is their pension fund, but they are unable to renovate it. Their only solution is to sell and move into a condo or a residence. I think the tax credits should be extended to homeowners, who really need a hand. "

The candidate of the Coalition avenir Québec in Blainville, Mario Laframboise, is of the opinion that it is urgent to act. "Québec's housing stock is aging and is almost at a point of no return. The current criteria of the Régie du logement does not allow homeowners to amortize their renovations before 40 years. That's why we want to make the RénoVert tax credit program permanent, to stimulate energy-efficient renovations for both private and public rental real estate. "

For its part, the Parti Québécois candidate in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Carole Poirier, announced that a PQ government would "extend" the RénoVert program by investing $ 40M over four years to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties. "In my riding office, I meet too often with people who are unable to pay their electricity bills because their apartments are badly insulated," she said.

Also invited to the debate, Simon Charron, candidate for Quebec Solidaire in Sainte-Rose, said that the environment was at the heart of his party's concerns. "From the first mandate of a Québec solidaire government, we will reform the Construction Code to encourage the use of materials with less impact [environmental], such as wood, and products that reduce energy bills. We want stricter standards. "