New housing: Quebec will require minimal access for wheelchairs

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Pascal Dugas Drone

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 12:49

UPDATE
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 12:49

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Quebec will force the contractors to build new residential buildings “accessibility” minimum in order to facilitate the lives of people with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users.

These homes will be built to enable a person with a disability to gain access to “certain parts” of its housing and to circulate easily. Thus, universal access to a toilet room, a living room and a dining room will be required, but access to other parts, like the main bedroom, the dining room and the kitchen will not be guaranteed.

These requirements will apply as soon as the new dwelling will have two storeys and more than eight units. At the present time, the building Code does not impose any rule of accessibility to the interior of the housing.

“As the population is ageing and that the number of Quebecers to deal with this type of disability is growing rapidly, it is time that housing and that the practices of residential construction adapt”, explained, Tuesday, at a press conference the minister responsible for consumer and Housing, Lise Thériault.

For his part, the minister responsible for the public Health, Lucie Charlebois, believes that this initiative will help seniors stay at home longer.

“You understand that it will result in a reduction in the costs of services for the home support,” she said.

“We have the habit of talking to seniors who have difficulty, let’s talk about those who want to live at home for as long as possible”, is pleased the minister responsible for Seniors, Francine Charbonneau.