No. It's a Quebec thing and originates back to when Quebec was New France and the seigneurial system (a system of land distribution and occupation) was in place. It stems from a law that protected tenants from being evicted in winter and the phenomena of 'moving day' has just lingered on. There are a couple amusing documentaries about it sometimes shown on TV around this time. It's crazy, isn't it?

While rental contracts probably still do usually end on July 1st, I'd be surprised if all that many people actually move on that day. There can't be enough removal trucks, the utility companies are closed and I can't imagine many notaries being at work.

It's high time the tradition was dropped. It creates havoc in the housing market (given that a fair number of renters will be looking to buy). Buying a house in May/June is a nightmare, as we discovered last year.

happy canada day!

alas, bit of own goal, since gave up ottawa for leafy surrey, what a mistake.
back to chavs, rain, congestion charge, rain, closing time etc.

need to learn french, then shall return

cheers!