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Moving Day is a tradition in Quebec where most leases for rental homes end on 30 June, which means many renters move homes on the first of July. The tradition of moving on a particular day stretches back to New France, due to French legal customs. The relevant laws persisted until 1973. Though it is no longer a requirement, it remains a widespread practice.
History
According to some sources, Moving Day began in the seigneurial period of New France in the 18th century. At that time, 1 May was set as the beginning date for all legal agreements, including leases. Other sources suggest that the date was chosen so that tenants could not be evicted from their farms during the cold winter months. Moving Day has historically existed in many cities. In the United States, New York and Chicago had their Moving Days on 1 May, while Boston continues to have a Moving Day on 1 September.
Objections to Moving Day were made as early as 1903. They largely focused on how it interrupted the school year. Nonetheless, the law remained part of Quebec’s Civil Code until the 1970s. In 1973, the Quebec Liberal government passed a new law so that leases no longer needed to begin on a certain date. Later that year, leases still in effect were extended by two months, to end on 30 June 1974. Moving Day would take place on 1 July.
Did you know?
There is a common misconception that Moving Day’s date was chosen by Quebec sovereigntists to diminish the importance of Canada Day. However, the bill that first set Moving Day to 1 July was introduced by a Liberal MNA, Jérôme Choquette.
Moving Process
Moving Day can be chaotic, particularly in Montreal, which has a large proportion of renters. According to the Régie du logement, which administers housing, residents have no grace period at the end of their lease, leading to complications when one tenant is moving out of a dwelling while another is moving in. Large piles of furniture and household goods are often discarded on sidewalks, with an estimated 50,000 tonnes of trash produced each year. In some areas, parking a moving truck requires a permit. Residents frequently reserve parking spots informally using furniture, often a rope suspended between two chairs, with a sign reading “déménagement” (moving). Moving companies and truck rentals are often booked far in advance, leading to higher prices during the period around 1 July. Many renters forgo moving companies and opt for the help of friends, traditionally in exchange for pizza and beer.
Societal Impacts of Moving Day
Due to high demand, it can be difficult for tenants to find housing in time for their move. For example, in 2021, the housing organization Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) reported that on 1 July, 400 families across Quebec had become homeless. Housing advocates have described the growing lack of affordable housing in Montreal ― historically a city of low rents compared to other major Canadian cities ― as a “housing crisis.”
Pet abandonment is also a recurring problem around Moving Day. Many rental homes do not allow pets, forcing tenants to surrender their pets to animal shelters. According to the CBC, in the three months prior to 1 July 2022, the Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took in 600 abandoned pets.
Persistence of Moving Day
Despite the fact that it is no longer a legal requirement, most leases in Quebec still end on 30 June. The days and weeks surrounding Moving Day are also busy times for moving. For property owners, it is easier to find tenants if the demand is high at a single time of year. For tenants, there may be more choice in available apartments, though there is also more competition. For moving companies, it creates an imbalance between the peak season of June and July, and the remainder of the year. Regardless of these drawbacks, the tradition continues. Even pizza chains have capitalized on the day with Moving Day promotions.
