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CHF Canada stands in solidarity with its members in Quebec related to Quebec’s Bill 20, who have expressed concern about the impacts this Bill would have on housing co-operatives, if adopted.
We believe Bill 20 – le loi visant à favoriser l’accès au logement et modifiant diverses dispositions concernant le domaine de l’habitation –would undermine the stability, inclusiveness and democratic functioning of housing co-operatives in Quebec.
This Bill seeks to impose income limits on co-op members, which would threaten the mixed-income nature of the co-op model. Under this Bill, long-standing, active co-op members whose income exceeds a certain amount would need to not only pay their co-op housing charge, but also pay the government compensation to stay in their home and in their community. Housing co-ops are meant to be inclusive, welcoming places for a diversity of people; this strengthens both the co-op community and the co-op’s financial sustainability. If adopted, this Bill would work at cross-purpose with these goals.
This Bill seeks to require co-ops to select members from a centralizing waiting list. This does not reflect the reality that co-op housing is more than affordable housing. To be a co-op member requires a commitment to actively participate in the democratic functioning of the co-op – and this is not something everyone wishes to do. Requiring co-ops to take members from a centralized waitlist would not allow them to select members who are ready to take on the responsibilities of co-op membership. This is exactly what a portion of co-ops in Ontario are required to do – and these co-ops have struggled more so than those who do not have this obligation. Because of this, we believe this imposition in Quebec would have a significant and detrimental effect on the healthy functioning of housing co-operatives over time.
As in other parts of Canada, affordable housing is in short supply in Quebec. Ensuring the stability and healthy functioning of housing co-operatives is essential, both for current members and so that co-ops can continue to grow and play a role in resolving the housing crisis. Launched in 2024, the federal Co-operative Housing Development Program has demonstrated that co-ops are ready and able to build affordable new co-op homes to help address the housing crisis – but this depends on a strong co-op housing sector. Undermining the co-operative housing model through this Bill would likely limit the continued growth of co-operative housing in Quebec.
We stand behind our members in Quebec on Bill 20.