Eviction notice : towards stricter rules in Canada

In Canada, and more specifically in Quebec since the adoption of major legislation on June 6, 2024, the eviction of a tenant has become a strictly regulated exception to the fundamental principle of the right to remain in one’s home.

Now, a landlord can no longer repossess a dwelling or evict an occupant for a development project without meeting extremely limited criteria, designed to curb abuses related to real estate speculation.

In Montreal, for example, new regulations now prohibit evictions if the tenant is 65 years of age or older, has a modest income, and has lived in the dwelling for at least ten years—protection that also applies in the event of a zoning change or subdivision of the building.

In Ontario, the rules have also become stricter regarding « renoviction »: in Toronto, a landlord wishing to carry out major renovations must now provide an expert report proving that the dwelling must be vacant and must offer the tenant the right of first refusal to return to the premises at the same rent once the project is completed.

In British Columbia, particularly in Vancouver, evictions for demolition or conversion into office space are subject to compensation payments that can reach several months’ rent, thus discouraging landlords from reclaiming units without a compelling reason.

These national reforms require landlords to exercise rigorous due diligence, as any eviction attempt deemed abusive or in bad faith can result in heavy financial penalties and the obligation to rehouse the tenant, making residential leases more protective than ever by 2026.