Fact Check: Quebec's rent control policies are ineffective in stabilizing apartment prices.

Fact Check: Quebec's Rent Control Policies Are Ineffective in Stabilizing Apartment Prices

What We Know

Quebec has implemented rent control policies aimed at stabilizing rental prices, particularly in urban areas like Montreal. Despite these regulations, the asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Montreal has surged by nearly 71% from $1,130 in 2019 to $1,930 in 2025, according to Statistics Canada (source). The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), which oversees rent adjustments, provides guidelines for landlords, but these guidelines are not mandatory, allowing landlords to set rents above the recommended levels (source).

Housing advocates argue that the lack of a provincewide rent registry hampers tenants' ability to contest excessive rent increases effectively. Currently, a non-government-run online rent registry exists, but participation is voluntary, leading to gaps in data (source). The absence of a comprehensive registry is seen as a political choice, with calls for its establishment supported by various municipalities and housing organizations (source).

In contrast, some experts argue that Quebec's rent control model has historically kept rents lower than in other Canadian cities and has allowed for a profitable rental market. For instance, Mario Polèse notes that Quebec's rental housing remains profitable, with rental starts per capita exceeding those in Ontario (source). Moreover, 90% of tenants report well-maintained apartments, suggesting that the TAL functions effectively in many cases (source).

Analysis

The claim that Quebec's rent control policies are ineffective is complex and requires a nuanced evaluation. On one hand, the dramatic increase in rental prices in Montreal suggests that current policies are not adequately protecting tenants from rising costs. The lack of mandatory compliance with TAL's guidelines allows landlords to increase rents significantly, undermining the intended effects of rent control (source). Furthermore, the absence of a comprehensive rent registry limits tenants' ability to challenge unjustified rent hikes, which could contribute to the perception of ineffectiveness (source).

On the other hand, some studies indicate that rent control can slow the growth of rents for controlled units, suggesting that while prices may be rising overall, rent control still plays a role in moderating increases for some tenants (source). Additionally, the argument that Quebec's rent control model has historically kept rents lower than in other provinces indicates that the system has some merits, particularly in maintaining a balance between tenant protection and landlord investment (source).

However, the effectiveness of rent control is often debated, with critics arguing that it can lead to adverse effects, such as reduced investment in housing and maintenance (source). The ongoing discussions about the need for a rent registry reflect broader concerns about transparency and fairness in the rental market, which are critical for tenant protection (source).

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that Quebec's rent control policies are ineffective in stabilizing apartment prices is "Partially True." While there is evidence that rental prices have surged significantly, indicating a failure of the current policies to protect tenants adequately, there are also aspects of the rent control system that have historically contributed to lower rents compared to other provinces. The lack of a comprehensive rent registry and the voluntary nature of compliance with TAL's guidelines are significant factors that undermine the effectiveness of the existing rent control framework.

Fact Check: Quebec's rent control policies are ineffective in stabilizing apartment prices.