Québec solidaire tables bill to allow service animals in rental homes
Posted May 25, 2023 1:35 pm.
Last Updated May 25, 2023 2:15 pm.
Québec solidaire has tabled a new bill which will allow service/companion animals in all rental housing.
MNA Andrés Fontecilla said Thursday, “There are 36 days left before July 1, and what we’re seeing in the field is that finding animal-friendly housing in the midst of a housing crisis has become a real uphill battle.”
Adding, “It’s already especially tough to find affordable housing this year—it’s even tougher if you have a companion animal. It’s unacceptable that thousands of Quebecers have to choose between giving up their four-legged friend or finding a place to live, when the solution is simple.”
If approved, the bill — which would be known as Bill 494 — would amend the Civil Code to render ineffective lease clauses that prohibit companion animals.
All new leases would no longer be able to include a prohibition on companion animals.
Despite this, all existing leases would be covered by the law under a transitional provision.
The announcement was made alongside Sophie Gaillard, Director of Animal Advocacy and of Legal and Government Affairs at the Montreal SPCA.
“As is the case every year, moving season hits us hard at the Montreal SPCA. Trouble finding animal-friendly housing is one of the main reasons why animals are abandoned at shelters. That’s why we’ve been fighting for over ten years to ban no-pet clauses in residential leases. We are filled with hope as we lend our support to the bill Québec solidaire tabled this morning,” said Gaillard.
