Thousands of Montrealers protest new housing bill that would end lease transfers

Thousands of Montrealers gathered in front of Parc Metro station Thursday evening to make it clear they don't want the provincial government to make it easier for landlords to refuse lease transfers.

Thousands of Montrealers gathered in front of Parc Metro station Thursday evening to make it clear they don't want the provincial government to make it easier for landlords to refuse lease transfers.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) recently tabled new housing legislation, Bill-31, which would make it harder for landlords to evict tenants but would also prevent tenants from transferring their leases.

Lease transfers, or lease assignments, have become a common way for tenants to control rent by preventing landlords from hiking prices between tenants.

"A lease assignment is a tool that is supposed to help tenants to show solidarity with each other. Unfortunately, this is one of the last tools we have left to avoid price increases," said librarian and author Eli San at the protest.

"It is tragic that the government wants to take it away from us."