MONTREAL — The Green Party of Quebec has unveiled an ambitious proposal ahead of the 2026 provincial election: a mandatory reduction in rents of 5% per year for four years, amounting to a total decrease of roughly 20%.
The measure is intended to provide immediate relief to tenants while addressing what the party describes as a real estate market increasingly driven by speculation and ever-rising rents.
At a press conference, Green Party of Quebec leader Alex Tyrrell said the housing crisis is now affecting a growing portion of Quebec’s population.
“Across Quebec, people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” he said. “We’re seeing rents skyrocket, families forced to devote a huge portion of their income to housing, and a growing number of cases being brought before the Administrative Housing Tribunal.”
According to the party, rent increases have significantly outpaced income growth. Tyrrell noted that since 2010, wages have increased by roughly 35%, while housing costs have risen by about 65%.
“People who work full-time, even at minimum wage, should be able to afford a home and pay for groceries,” he said.
A Mandatory Rent Reduction
The Green Party’s plan builds on an existing mechanism. Each year, the Quebec government sets a recommended or allowable rent increase.
The party proposes to reverse that logic by using the same authority to mandate gradual rent decreases.
The policy would include:
• a 5% reduction in rents in the first year
• an additional 5% reduction each year for four years
• a total reduction of approximately 20% in rents by the end of the mandate
According to the party, this measure would quickly ease financial pressure on tenants.
Reducing Speculative Pressure
The Green Party also argues that the policy would help correct what it sees as a housing bubble fueled by expectations of constant rent increases.
“Buildings are being sold for more and more money because buyers assume rents will continue rising every year,” Tyrrell said.
According to him, this dynamic pushes some investors to pay extremely high prices for rental buildings, relying on future rent increases to make their investments profitable.
“We’re in a situation where landlords often have to raise rents simply to cover their mortgage payments,” he said.
By lowering rents, the party believes the speculative value of rental properties would gradually decline, helping stabilize the housing market.
Preventing a Larger Crisis
The Green Party also argues that preventative action is necessary to avoid a broader financial crisis.
Tyrrell warned of a scenario in which property prices rise so high that heavily indebted owners are no longer able to pay their mortgages.
“If we let the situation continue unchecked, we could face a crisis similar to what happened in the United States in 2008,” he said.
According to him, acting now would help prevent an uncontrolled collapse in property values.
Housing and Social Justice
Green Party deputy leader Halimatou Bah also emphasized the social consequences of the housing crisis.
“We are seeing a visible increase in homelessness in several cities across Quebec,” she said. “For me, that is unacceptable in a developed society.”
She also highlighted the link between the housing crisis and women’s safety, particularly for those trying to leave situations of domestic violence.
“To leave a violent partner, you need somewhere to go,” Bah said. “In the current context, too often that housing simply does not exist.”
According to her, access to safe housing is essential for escaping violence and rebuilding one’s life.
“Housing is the foundation,” she said. “The foundation for escaping homelessness, the foundation for escaping violence, and the foundation for rebuilding a life.”
A Central Campaign Issue
The Green Party says it intends to make rent reduction a central theme of its upcoming election campaign.
“A vote for the Green Party is a vote to lower your rent,” Tyrrell said.
The proposal sets the party apart from other political formations in Quebec. While several parties have discussed limiting or regulating rent increases, the Greens are the only party proposing a direct reduction in rents in response to the housing crisis.
