Quebec's new Airbnb legislation could be a model for Canada

For years, Quebec has had what many experts viewed as one of the strongest laws in Canada to regulate Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms.

For years, Quebec has had what many experts viewed as one of the strongest laws in Canada to regulate Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms.

Airbnb hosts had to register with the provincial government, or they could face fines. But it was also clear the law wasn't actually working, with the vast majority of Montreal's listings on the platform being unlicensed.

On Tuesday (May 9), the provincial government tabled updated legislation aimed at making sure only eligible, registered hosts can post a listing.

"This new law represents a pretty significant step forward there, because it is really kind of tightening the constraints," said McGill University Prof. David Wachsmuth, the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance.

"That's a really good template that I think other provinces, and certainly Ontario and British Columbia, the other big provinces, should be looking to emulate."