Municipal Affairs Minister Martin Coiteux Promises Change

This week’s study of budget credits during the parliamentary committee was an opportunity for the new minister responsible of the Régie du Logement to announce some changes. Without revealing the specific measures on which he is currently working, Martin Coiteux maintained the same position previously taken by his predecessor concerning the legalization of security deposits when signing a lease. He confirmed he was working on a major reform in the social housing sector, including the Régie du Logement.

When asked about the idea of a security deposit by the MP for the CAQ, Mario Laframboise, the minister responded with a confirmation of being in discussion with the Régie du Logement and added that he is looking at the situation as a whole in order to preserve a balance of rights between landlords and tenants.

He also intends to address the delays at the Régie du Logement deplored by both landlords and tenants. Also during the exchanges with the MP for the CAQ, which brought up some solutions advocated by CORPIQ, the minister said he was aware of the problem of retraction requests used by tenants to unduly delay their eviction for non-payment of rent and added that «everything needs to be taken into consideration if we propose legislative changes and it is fairly probable that we will make such proposals. We will look at the whole situation, including the issues you raised concerning the process and procedures. »

 It is important to note that a few months ago, CORPIQ submitted to the government some proposals and statistics to support the introduction of the security deposit. CORPIQ is closely following the issue and intends to maintain the pressure in order to see some end results.

Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that he was undergoing a « significant decluttering » in housing assistance programs. He is working on ensuring greater synergy between financial assistance programs for households (rent supplement) and construction of social housing units (AccèsLogis). He explained that «when quality private accommodations are available, it makes sense that the government advocates the rent supplement ». CORPIQ welcomes this new initiative that was proposed over twenty years ago.