A coalition of 21 players proposes nine action levers to the Quebec government

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Montreal, October 6, 2023 - Quebec is currently facing a housing crisis on an unprecedented scale. Faced with this worrying situation, which is persisting and worsening, a coalition of 21 players from the economic, social and municipal sectors is mobilizing with renewed determination.

A coalition of 21 players proposes nine action levers to the Quebec government

This coalition proposes nine action levers that the Quebec government must prioritize, in order to resolve the housing crisis:

  1. Develop a national strategy and a government action plan.

  2. Conduct periodic diagnostics to ensure a common understanding of housing data, issues and challenges.

  3. Establish effective targets and monitoring mechanisms in conjunction with the community.

  4. Adapt and ensure the coherence of government programs and subsidies to socio-economic realities and the needs of multiple clienteles, including vulnerable clienteles.

  5. Adapt the legislative framework and increase investments to support municipalities in upgrading the infrastructure required for residential densification.

  6. Promote the maintenance, renovation, conversion and decarbonization of existing housing stock, based on sustainable approaches.

  7. Stimulate innovation and strengthen the industry's construction capabilities.

  8. Encourage the various government departments to take part in implementing the strategy and contribute to achieving the targeted results.

  9. Deploy the necessary resources to ensure real and timely access to justice for tenants and landlords alike.

The coalition recognizes the recent efforts made by the Quebec government, including the consultative meetings initiated by the Minister responsible for Housing, but insists on the need for a global, concerted action plan to address the worsening housing crisis. As this is not just a housing crisis, but one that also affects infrastructure, transportation, the economy, health, immigration, seniors and homelessness, each ministry has a unique role to play.

 

A necessary meeting with all relevant ministries

Given the cross-cutting nature of the issue, the group stressed the urgent need to meet with all the ministries concerned, before the economic update on November 7. For the members, the update will be the driving force behind future government action.

In mid-June, the members of this coalition, who traditionally spoke little to each other, sent a letter to the Premier of Quebec, expressing their major concern about the housing crisis, characterized by a shortage of housing and affordability. Together, the 21 signatories called for an assessment of the current situation and a concerted national plan involving all players and ministries concerned by housing issues.

 

* List of signatories from the housing industry, management, social groups and cities (in alphabetical order by organization name)

 

Sébastien Parent-Durand, CEO
Alliance des corporations d'habitations abordables du territoire du Grand Montréal (ACHAT)

Jean-François Arbour, ing. President
Association de la construction du Québec (ACQ)

Maxime Rodrigue, President and CEO
Association des professionnels de la construction et de l'habitation du Québec (APCHQ)

Claude Pinard, President and CEO
Centraide of Greater Montreal

Karl Blackburn, President and CEO
Quebec Employers Council

Benoit Sainte-Marie, CEO
Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec (CORPIQ)

Charles Milliard, President and CEO
Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ)

Patrick Préville, CEO
Fédération de l'habitation coopérative du Québec (FHCQ)

François Vincent, Vice-President Quebec
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

Isabelle Melançon, President and CEO
Urban Development Institute of Quebec (UDI)

Véronique Proulx, President and CEO
Quebec Manufacturers & Exporters (MEQ)

Marc Fortin, President and CEO
Regroupement québécois des résidences pour aînés (RQRA)

Laurent Levesque, Co-founder and CEO
Student Housing Implementation Task Force (UTILE)

France Bélisle, Mayor
City of Gatineau 

Stéphane Boyer, Mayor
City of Laval 

Catherine Fournier, Mayor
City of Longueuil

Benoit Dorais, Vice-President of the Executive Committee, responsible for housing, real estate strategy, legal affairs and strategic projects, and mayor of the Sud-Ouest borough
City of Montreal

Marie-Pierre Boucher, city councillor, member of the executive committee responsible for housing
Quebec City

Guy Caron, Mayor
City of Rimouski

Jean Lamarche, Mayor
City of Trois-Rivières

Christian Savard, CEO
Vivre en ville

For further information, please contact
Émilie Hermitte, Communications and Public Relations Advisor
Cell. : 514 237-7096
emilie.hermitte@apchq.com

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