Quebec Enshrines Right to Decent Housing

Summary#

This bill would add a new right to the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms: the right to decent housing. It recognizes housing as part of human dignity and says the government should protect this right and work toward it over time.

• Adds a clear statement that every person has a right to decent housing in Quebec.
• Highlights what “decent” means: secure tenure, availability, affordability, habitability (safe and livable), and accessibility.
• Applies to everyone living in Quebec.
• Sets a direction for future laws, policies, and decisions by courts and public bodies.
• Does not create new programs, fines, or detailed rules by itself.
• Would take effect on the day it becomes law.

What it means for you#

• Tenants

  • Strengthens the idea that your home should be safe, affordable, and secure.
  • May support complaints or legal arguments about unsafe conditions or unfair evictions.
  • Does not change rent rules or eviction procedures right away.

• People seeking housing or experiencing homelessness

  • Recognizes your need for stable, livable housing as a basic right.
  • Could lead to stronger programs over time, but no immediate benefits are created by this bill alone.

• Landlords

  • No new duties or penalties are added now.
  • Over time, housing boards, tribunals, or courts may weigh this right more heavily in disputes about maintenance, safety, or evictions.

• Local governments and public agencies

  • May face more pressure to plan for affordable, accessible, and safe housing.
  • Policies and services may need to consider this right when they are designed or updated.

• Everyone in Quebec

  • Sets a shared standard for what decent housing should look like.
  • Gives people and community groups a stronger base to push for improvements.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Puts housing on the same level as other basic rights linked to dignity, health, and safety.
• Aligns Quebec with international human rights standards on adequate housing.
• Clarifies key elements of decent housing: security, availability, affordability, habitability, and accessibility.
• Gives a stronger legal and moral basis for future policies and court decisions.
• Encourages the government to take concrete steps and show progress over time.

Opponents' View#

• Offers a broad promise without definitions, timelines, or enforcement, so it may be mostly symbolic at first.
• Could lead to more lawsuits or uncertainty about what the government must do and when.
• May create future costs for the province and cities if they expand housing programs to meet the right.
• Could add pressure on landlords and the housing market if stricter rules follow later.
• Overlaps with existing tenant and housing laws, which might confuse people about what actually changes now.