With six months to go before the anticipated provincial election, Québec solidaire has announced its intention to make housing the central issue of its campaign. More specifically, the left-wing party says it is advocating for anonymity for tenants who have won a case before the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) to “protect them from discrimination.” Québec solidaire says it also wants to provide the TAL with more resources by injecting an additional $7 million to speed up processing. “The TAL is essential as arbiter of the rental market, but it has been overwhelmed by the housing crisis, which has spiralled out of control,” said MNA Andrés Fontecilla in a press release on Monday. “The tribunal is doing what it can, but it can no longer guarantee that the rules of the game are being followed if it is overwhelmed by the housing crisis.” Québec solidaire is also promising its “most ambitious” housing plan for the upcoming election campaign, structured around five pillars: Making housing more affordable, defending tenants’ rights, increasing the supply of social and community housing, facilitating access to homeownership and combating real estate speculation. “Having a roof over your head is the basics, but it’s what costs the most,” said party spokesperson Ruba Ghazal. “It’s difficult for everyone, whether you’re a homeowner, a tenant or a first-time buyer. In fact, aside from a handful of people profiting from the crisis, the current system hurts everyone.” In the past, Québec solidaire has made gains when it comes to housing. In 2016, former party spokesperson Françoise David succeeded in passing a bill to protect tenants over the age of 70 from eviction if they have lived in their homes for more than ten years. In 2024, following pressure from Québec solidaire, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government passed another piece of legislation that expanded protections for elderly tenants. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 30, 2026.
