ImmoMulti — a direct buyer of income properties on Québec's North Shore — follows the tax news that affects property sellers. On June 29, 2026, Québec solidaire (QS) proposed taxing 100% of the capital gain realized on real estate sales, instead of the 50% inclusion rate that applies today. For an owner considering selling a plex or an income property in Québec, this deserves a clear-eyed look — without panic. Key point up front: this is a proposal from an opposition party, not a law in force. Nothing changes for now. This article explains, from the seller's perspective, what the measure would do if adopted, who would be exempt, and why it divides opinion.
What exactly is Québec solidaire proposing on real estate capital gains?
Québec solidaire proposes taxing 100% of the capital gain realized on real estate sales, instead of the current 50% inclusion rate. The entire resale profit would be added to the seller's taxable income and taxed like a salary. It is an opposition proposal announced on June 29, 2026 — not an adopted law.
The proposal, unveiled by Québec solidaire members, aims to change how the capital gain is taxed when a building is sold. Today, only part of the profit realized on resale enters the seller's taxable income. QS wants that share raised to 100% for real estate transactions.
In concrete terms, the entire gain — the difference between the sale price and the price paid, minus eligible expenses — would be treated as ordinary income, just like a salary. For an owner of a plex or multi-unit building, the impact on the tax bill of a sale could be significant. QS co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal summed up the intent as follows.
"When owners sell, they are taxed on 50% of the profits. We want it taxed at 100%, like a salary."
— Ruba Ghazal, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, remarks reported by Radio-Canada (June 29, 2026)
The numerical example: a $200,000 gain fully taxable
To illustrate the measure, the example reported by Radio-Canada is simple. A building purchased for $300,000 and resold for $500,000 yields a $200,000 gain. Here is what the proposal would change, all else being equal:
| Item | Current rule (50% inclusion rate) | QS proposal (100%) |
|---|---|---|
| Price paid | $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Sale price | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Gross capital gain | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Taxable portion | $100,000 (half) | $200,000 (the full amount) |
The difference is stark: the taxable portion would double, rising from $100,000 to $200,000 in this example. That portion is added to the seller's income for the year of the sale and taxed at the applicable marginal rate. The larger the gain, the greater the effect — which is why many owners of multi-unit buildings who have held for a long time and accumulated significant appreciation are concerned.
An important note: this example is deliberately simplified. The real capital gain calculation on an income property also accounts for eligible expenses, recapture of depreciation and other factors. For a figure specific to your situation, consult a tax advisor and use our calculator.
Estimate your capital gainCalculate the tax on selling your plex under the current rules. →
Important: the QS proposal is not the regime in force
This is the point to remember above all. The 100% proposal must not be confused with the inclusion rate that actually applies today to income property sales. The two notions are distinct:
- The regime in force: when you sell your plex, only part of the capital gain is included in your taxable income. This is the tax framework that concretely applies to every transaction today.
- The QS proposal: raising that share to 100% for real estate sales. This is a political position from an opposition party, with no force of law.
In other words, if you sell your income property today, nothing changes: the current rules apply. To understand precisely how the inclusion rate works at the time of a sale, see our dedicated article: Capital gains on selling your plex in Québec — the inclusion rate in force. This article deals only with the QS proposal.
Do not confuse the two
The "100%" measure is a Québec solidaire proposal. It has not been adopted and does not change any current tax obligation. Any decision to sell should rest on the rules actually in force, validated with a tax advisor.
What the proposal would change for selling your plex or multi-unit building
If it were ever adopted, the measure would mainly affect the owner-seller of an income property who does not live in it. Here are the effects to anticipate, from the seller's perspective:
- A heavier tax bill on resale: by doubling the taxable portion of the gain, the measure would raise the tax paid in the year a plex held as an investment is sold.
- An incentive to hold longer: some owners might delay a sale, which would reduce the supply of buildings on the market — an effect the current government fears.
- A yield calculation to revisit: the net return on a multi-unit investment is also measured at the exit. Heavier taxation of the gain would change the equation for investors on the North Shore and beyond.
For a North Shore owner — in Terrebonne, Mascouche, Blainville, Boisbriand, Saint-Jérôme, Saint-Eustache or Deux-Montagnes — whose plex has appreciated in recent years, a large accumulated gain would make the effect of 100% inclusion particularly noticeable. It is precisely this kind of owner, often a small investor, that the measure would target most.
To keep in mind if you are considering selling
- The current rules remain in force: the proposal is not a law.
- Have your real gain calculated with a tax advisor before any decision.
- A sale should serve your goals, not a hypothetical measure.
The exemption for owners who live in their building
A key element of the proposal concerns owner-occupants. According to Ruba Ghazal, the measure would include an exemption for those who live in their building — for example the owner of a triplex who occupies one of the units and rents the others. This profile, very common in Québec, would therefore not be targeted the same way as a pure investor.
That distinction reflects the stated logic of the measure: to target real estate speculation rather than the human-scale owner-occupant. That said, because it is a proposal and not a legislative text, the exact terms of the exemption — required occupancy duration, share occupied by the owner, treatment of a partly occupied plex — are not specified. An owner-occupant who sells should validate their situation with a tax advisor.
QS justifies the proposal by pointing to the housing crisis. Ruba Ghazal noted that more than 3,200 families needed help finding housing before July 1 — a context that, according to the party, justifies discouraging quick speculative resales.
Reactions from landlords and the government
The proposal drew contrasting reactions right away. On the landlord side, Martin Messier, of the Association des propriétaires du Québec (Quebec Landlords Association), was critical.
"It sends a bad message!"
— Martin Messier, Association des propriétaires du Québec, remarks reported by Radio-Canada (June 29, 2026)On the government side, Premier Christine Fréchette rejected the measure, calling it "neither structuring nor constructive." She voiced concern that the proposal would discourage small landlords and cited technical obstacles, notably Québec's harmonization with federal tax rules. All of which makes the measure's adoption uncertain at this stage.
For a property seller, the practical takeaway is simple: watch the debate, but base your decisions on the rules actually in force. If you are already considering selling your income property, have your gain assessed by a professional and, for a direct offer with no broker or commission, ImmoMulti can present a purchase price within 48 hours.
Sole source for this article: Radio-Canada (June 29, 2026). Consult a tax advisor or notary for any decision related to your situation.
Informational content only. Does not constitute legal or tax advice. The Québec solidaire proposal described here is not a law in force. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
