Act to amend the Quebec Civil Code to protect seniors’ rights as lessees: a victory for lowincome seniors
MONTREAL, June 3, 2016 – Four of the main seniors’ and retirees’ associations in Quebec are
joining their voices to underscore the work begun in 2015 by Gouin MNA Françoise David and the
cooperation of the government of Quebec regarding the rights of senior tenants. The enactment of
Bill 492, An Act to amend the Civil Code to protect seniors’ rights as lessees, represents a
considerable advance for low-income seniors. This bill modifies the conditions for taking over rental
housing and eviction set out in the Civil Code in order to protect seniors’ rights.
For the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées
(AQDR), it was time to act. “Thinking that vulnerable seniors could find themselves on the street
after being removed from their home by a landlord is unacceptable! We needed to find a solution to
safeguard low-income seniors and Bill 492 is the result of a reasonable consensus. For us, it
becomes an additional tool to defend seniors’ rights,” explained Judith Gagnon, President of the
AQDR.
The Association québécoise des retraité(e)s des secteurs public et parapublic du Québec (AQRP)
is delighted at the enactment of this bill aiming to safeguard the rights of senior tenants. “We need
to remember that during the most recent election campaign, the parties supported the idea that it
would be wise to better structure eviction or the takeover of senior tenants’ rental housing. We are
satisfied that they worked together to reach an acceptable compromise for everyone. Ultimately,
Quebec’s seniors are the winners here,” noted Donald Tremblay, President of the AQRP.
Meanwhile, the Association des retraitées et retraités de l'éducation et des autres services publics
du Québec (AREQ) salutes the fact that legislators were able to agree for the benefit of vulnerable
seniors. “Forcing an elderly individual to leave their home where they’ve lived for numerous years
is very often the equivalent of uprooting them, the impacts of which can prove catastrophic. It is in
that spirit that we supported the tabling of Bill 492. Its new approach is easier to understand and
enforce, which provides an additional measure of protection for the targeted individuals. We are
very pleased with it,” stated AREQ President Pierre-Paul Côté.
Lastly, the Réseau FADOQ is satisfied with the result of this joint effort. “Beyond the compromises
between Québec Solidaire and the government to limit the evictions of seniors from their homes, it
is refreshing to note that genuine cooperation between political and civil organizations can lead to
concrete gains for seniors. This is particularly true in the current context of confrontation and
closed-mindedness regarding numerous issues. It is motivating to note that with a genuine political
will, we can work toward social progress in Quebec,” said Maurice Dupont, President of the
Réseau FADOQ.
-30Information: Media contacts: AQRP: Jean-Philippe Rochette, public relations advisor, Cell.: 418261-8090 / Email: [email protected]; Réseau FADOQ: Brigitte Roussy, advisor,
public affairs/media relations, Cell.: 514-248-0160 / Email: [email protected]; AREQ:
Dominic
Provost,
communications
advisor,
Cell.:
418-929-4082
/
Email:
[email protected]; AQDR: Samuel Labrecque, project officer and media relations,
Cell.: 514-742-9056 / Email: [email protected]