At last, something positive for RPP tenantsQuébec, April 9, 2021-The Centres d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes (CAAPs) in Québec welcome the adoption of Bill 67, which will enable RPP tenants to make joint applications to the Tribunal administratif du logement. This measure will have a positive impact on the living conditions of seniors living in RPAs, as the most vulnerable among them – who are not accustomed to contesting or making claims – will now be able to benefit from recourse initiated by other tenants in the same residence. Joint claims can be made in two situations. Firstly, two or more tenants of the same residence will be able to claim compensation for services not rendered by the residence. We know that, since the start of the pandemic, housekeeping or leisure services, for example, have not been rendered, but have continued to be paid for by the tenant. Secondly, tenants will be able to jointly contest illegal clauses in their leases. What’s more, the judge will have the power to include all other tenants of the residence in the proceedings if he or she “finds that the rights or interests of other tenants of the residence are likely to be affected”(1).RPA tenants wishing to file joint claims can count on the expertise of CAAPs to assist and support them in their efforts, just as they already do for individual lease-related proceedings. To contact the CAAP in your area, simply dial our toll-free number 1877767-2227. In closing, Quebec’s CAAPs hope that this very positive first step will enable them to extend the possibilities of joint requests to other situations. For example, it would be desirable to be able to file a joint application to contest a rent increase or a rise in the cost of services, to ensure that no tenant suffers an injustice due to his or her inability to file an individual application.

About CAAPsCAAPs are regional community organizations mandated by the Minister of Health and Social Services to assist and support users of the health and social services network (or their representatives) who wish to file a complaint when they are dissatisfied with the care or services they have received. They are present in every region of Quebec, and their services are free and confidential. About the Fédération des CAAP The Fédération des centers d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes (FCAAP) brings together the Centres d’assistance et d’accompagnement aux plaintes (CAAP). Its mission is to represent member CAAPs in political, administrative and financial dealings with the authorities, to support them in the deployment of their mission, to increase their influence and to develop content expertise on targeted subjects of public interest in health and social services.

Reference1. Bill 67, article 57.0.2.

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Source and interviews: Sébastien Harvey, CAAP Lease Deployment Coordinator. C. 581 748-1741