The author of a book that Prime Minister François Legault praised in a Facebook post didn’t appreciate the compliment and didn’t hesitate to respond to denounce Montreal’s housing crisis and the government’s provincial policies.
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In his Saturday morning publication, Mr. Legault praised Quebecer Kevin Lambert’s book Our Joy Endures.
“A well-researched architectural novel. Long breathless sentences. “A 30-year-old writer of great talent,” he wrote.
Screenshot from Twitter (@FrancisPilon_)
In the absence of thanks, the author instead used the comments to criticize the government and revive the housing crisis debate.
“Mr. Legault, in the midst of a housing crisis while your government is working to undermine the last city walls protecting us in Montreal from extreme gentrification, it is pathetic to publish my book,” he lashed out.
Screenshot from Twitter (@FrancisPilon_)
“You have to read with your eyes closed to fail to see how the portrait of the city portrayed in the novel contradicts your government’s destructive, pro-poor, anti-immigrant, pro-landlord, and pro-rich policies. . ”
As Mr Legault added: “The housing crisis is raging across major cities around the world. We can have different opinions on the solutions. […] But I respect your opinion,” added François Legault.
Screenshot from Twitter (@FrancisPilon_)
While the author acknowledges the generality of the real estate crisis, he criticizes the lack of a “healthy distance” between the market and the housing market.
“Housing shouldn’t be [répondre] subject to the law of supply and demand like the consumer goods market. “For that reason, if there are fewer houses on the market, the price of houses should not go up,” he replied.
“The government has to fulfill its responsibility, help the poorest, yes, provide more social housing, yes. But also limit property speculation and international investment […]. And above all, listen to the organizations concerned, the intellectuals and the specialists who are at the forefront of the current crisis,” Mr Lambert finally replied, apparently unflattered by the Prime Minister’s compliment.