As the economic update approaches, social groups are urging the Legault government to “assume its responsibilities” and do more in the face of the deterioration in the living conditions of the most vulnerable.
“We believe that we are experiencing a social crisis in Quebec,” said Marie-Line Audet, spokesperson for the National Table of Community Development Corporations, during a press briefing Monday morning. “Homelessness is visible everywhere. Families find themselves on the streets, workers find themselves asking for food aid. »
There were five coalitions of social groups to question on Monday the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, who must present his economic update on November 21.
In addition to the Table, the outing brought together the Homelessness Solidarity Network, the Popular Action Front in Urban Redevelopment (FRAPRU), the Network of Regional Tables of Women’s Groups of Quebec and the Collective for a Quebec Without Poverty.
People “can’t afford $1,500 studios,” argued Véronique Laflamme of FRAPRU. “There are no alternatives to overpriced housing.”
The Legault government “disconnected”
On several occasions, speakers criticized government ministers for being “disconnected” from the reality of the poor.
“Mr. Girard I think he lives 200,000 miles from the reality of people in poverty. Honestly, I have the impression that it just doesn’t interest them,” argued Serge Petitclerc of the Collective for a Quebec without Poverty. “It’s boring to say, but we are led by a government of chambers of commerce, the fight against poverty is really not a priority. »
Véronique Laflamme of FRAPRU was in the same vein. “I think there is a real issue of disconnection between the reality of the Legault government and that of a significant part of the tenant population in particular. […] There was a lack of interest because it was perhaps not seen as electorally profitable to invest there. »
The five groups are demanding financial commitments including “new investments” in social housing. And this, not via the current Quebec Affordable Housing Program (PHAQ) program but a new program “that works”.
The Network of Regional Tables of Women’s Groups of Quebec is calling for the restoration of the allowances of $161 per month cut in Bill 71 by the Minister of Social Solidarity, Chantal Rouleau.
The latter only gave “crumbs” to women with its plan to fight poverty, argued network spokesperson Audrey Gosselin Pellerin.
The only women to whom the government is generous, she said, are caregivers because they help lighten the burden on the health network.
The government consults extensively but it does not deliver, argued Serge Petitclerc. For him and his colleagues, he is multiplying “missed opportunities” in particular with the Anti-Poverty Plan which had a budget “four times smaller than the previous combat plan”.
Quebec is right to delay accepting funds from Ottawa, according to the Itinérance Solidarity Network
To help the most deprived, the Collective first proposes to increase the solidarity tax credit. “That would make a difference for hundreds of thousands of people.”
FRAPRU also submits the idea of banning Airbnb-type rentals in areas where the vacancy rate is below 3%.
Questioned about the 50 million dollars dedicated to Ottawa that Quebec refuses to accept, the Réseau solidarité itinérance also gives its support to the Legault government. “If the federal government wants to influence the vision we have given ourselves in Quebec and go against that, we cannot accept that,” declared its spokesperson Boromir Vallée Dore.
In his eyes, it is essential that the money be spent in accordance with the Interdepartmental Homelessness Action Plan which has a consensus in the community, which would not be a given for federal funding.
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