Montrealers face challenging moving day amid housing crisis

This year, stress levels are through the roof as people are moving amid a province-wide housing crisis. Housing advocates say skyrocketing rents are now a widespread phenomenon.

While some Quebecers are celebrating Canada Day, others are taking part in a more stressful kind of tradition: moving day.

This year, stress levels are through the roof as people are moving amid a province-wide housing crisis.

Alicia Melancon counts herself lucky.

After a two-month long search, she found an apartment in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough for her and her three roommates.

“We were lucky because here in this neighborhood, it is very expensive. And we found something under the price,” Melancon said.

She’s one of the thousands of people who are moving Friday in Montreal. But this year, just like last, isn’t easy.

That’s because Montreal is experiencing a housing crisis and housing advocates say skyrocketing rents are now a widespread phenomenon across the entire province.

Throughout Quebec, rent prices on available listings have gone up almost 10 per cent, according to the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec’s (RCLALQ).