Though the term “renoviction” may be familiar for when a tenant is evicted after a landlord decides to renovate a space, a group of tenants in Laval is drawing attention to a new moniker: “demoviction.”
Martine Bedard’s tiny apartment on Cartier Street in Laval has turned into ground zero for herself and her neighbours who are about to lose their relatively affordable apartments.
“I looked around for a three-and-a-half, and it was about $1,300 minimum,” she said. “$500 more than I’m paying now.”
Roughly 68 families live in four buildings on Cartier Street West and were notified in December that they would soon lose their apartments because the landlord wants to demolish them.
“There was a post on the window stating there was an authorization to demolish,” said tenant Normand Loiselle.
Tenants were told by their landlord that a developer wanted to buy the land and build modern condos in place of the 50-year-old buildings, even if the apartments are still in good shape.
The City of Laval does not have legislation protecting housing units, unless they’re heritage buildings.
Even seniors lose protection they normally get because of their age.
In Quebec, there is a law that actually protects seniors from being evicted if the landlord decides to carry out renovations, but the law does not apply if the landlord wants to demolish the building.
At a council meeting this week, Mayor Stephane Boyer said he felt sorry for the tenants, and admitted it’s the first time a landlord asked to demolish still-occupied apartment buildings.
Laval, Boyer said, had no legal way to stop the process.
Those living on the street admit that they won’t have enough money to move elsewhere.
“I have to cut down on my food, my everyday expenses,” said Loiselle.
“I haven’t slept in a week,” said retiree Richard Desjardins, who lives on a fixed income.
For Amira Abouhaf, who is currently unemployed, the outlook is even worse.
“If I don’t find a job by June, I’m on the street with my son, 100 per cent,” she said.
The tenants’ last hope now rests with the rental board, a process that could take months and without a guarantee of success.
