Official opposition urges Montreal mayor to use Bill 31 to their advantage

Ensemble Montréal is urging the Plante administration to ease pressure on the housing market with the adoption of Bill 31 by using new powers they’ve been granted under its adoption.

The opposition party believes that by authorizing municipalities to deviate from their zoning or town planning regulations, it would make it possible to increase the housing supply and fix the 27 per cent drop in new construction.

Housing spokesperson for the Official Opposition at city hall Julien Hénault-Ratelle said that it’s a race against time for Montreal, “as it only has five years to use this superpower.”

“The housing crisis is an exceptional situation that calls for exceptional measures. I call on the Plante administration to get moving and become a pioneer among municipalities by seizing this opportunity to accelerate housing starts.”

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 28,000 housing units must be delivered annually to restore affordability by 2030 in Montreal.

Ratelle says that the City of Montreal is not close to their target.

In a press release, Ensemble Montréal says there have been several high-potential projects that have been stagnated for years like the southern part of Îlot Voyageur, the Bridge-Bonaventure project, and the Hippodrome site.

He explained that Mayor Plante needs to protect the 64 per cent of Montreal tenants who are experiencing the rise in rents within the last 30 years.

“Since its election in 2017, the Plante administration has broken its promises regarding social and affordable housing,” he said. “First, with this promise to build 12,000 social and affordable housing units, and now with 60,000 affordable housing units by 2021. Montreal is a city of tenants. It’s essential to protect them from abusive rent increasing.”

At the peak of lease renewal season and with July 1 moving day coming up, Ensemble Montréal is urging the Plante administration act fast.

“The shortage of affordable housing in Montreal is part of our daily lives and the clock is ticking since we have a maximum of five years to use it,” concluded Ratelle.