The Quebec government has revealed $28 million in emergency funding aimed at assisting those facing homelessness – marking its first significant announcement since the Parti Québécois took office as a minority government.
During a visit to Accueil Bonneau – a shelter and advocacy organization for people without homes in Montreal – Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon explained that this emergency funding will support 200 urgent projects for winter across 16 regions.
Of this total, almost $16 million will be designated for the Montreal area. The government initially stated that $18 million would be allocated to the city in their first announcement, which was incorrect.
“We’re just addressing an emergency situation because we have 5,000 people [in Montreal] without a roof,” St-Pierre Plamondon remarked on Friday.
The premier has taken it upon himself to confront homelessness by becoming the minister responsible for this issue – something he referred to as a “political risk.”
“In my view, it’s the only way you demonstrate political will,” he noted, adding that he intends to host a summit on homelessness in 2027 to discuss solutions.
WATCH | PQ makes its 1st major announcement:
New Quebec premier unveils $28M in emergency funding to tackle homelessness as winter nears
Newly sworn-in Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon appointed himself minister responsible for the file. It’s the first major announcement for the Parti Québécois since the party formed a minority government.
This funding comes shortly after reports surfaced about the passing of a 66-year-old woman in Sorel-Tracy, Que., who had recently lost her home.
A report from Les 2 Rives, a local weekly newspaper, revealed that she was found unconscious in a ferry terminal washroom during the night of October 4-5 while trying to keep warm.
After Wednesday’s cabinet swearing-in ceremony, St-Pierre Plamondon gathered his ministers to release the emergency funds.
“Winter is coming quickly. We need to be prepared,” St-Pierre Plamondon expressed in a post shared Thursday morning.
WATCH | Cost of homelessness services mounting in Quebec:
Quebec sees sharp rise in cost of homelessness services
The average expense associated with providing services for those experiencing homelessness has climbed above $95,000 annually per person – up from just over $72,000 in 2023, according to findings commissioned by the Union of Quebec Municipalities. Experts argue these increasing costs emphasize an urgent need for more substantial investments into social housing.
In another social media update later Thursday afternoon, he extended his condolences to the woman’s family and reiterated how critical it is to tackle housing challenges.
“This death could have been avoided if available resources matched the scale of our current problem,” St-Pierre Plamondon stated.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) administration campaigned with a goal of halving homelessness by their term’s end in 2030.
Homelessness continues to escalate within the province, with data indicating there are currently 12,077 visibly unhoused individuals across 15 regions according to recent Health Ministry statistics in April.
This report notes visible homelessness has surged across Quebec by approximately 20 percent between 2022 and 2025, adding an additional 1,873 individuals living on streets over three years.
Montreal mayor welcomes ‘political alignment’
Standing nextto th e premier , M ontreal Mayor S oraya Martinez Ferrada said Friday thatthe “political alignment” between both levels of government regardingthis issue gives her plentyof hope. p >She mentionedthat this announcement marks “the first step towards achievinga common goal” ensuring everyonehas access toa safe place t o live. p >Duringher campaign last year , Martinez Ferrada proclaimedherself as “thehousing mayor,” emphasizingthis issueas oneof her main priorities. p >As partof Montreal’s winter response plan , herinitial requestto th e PQgovernmentisforan annual contributionof$20million aimedat tacklinghomelessness. p >Earlierthis month , Martinez Ferrada announcedthatnine warmingcentres would be opened across seven boroughswithin M ontreal. p >However , shenotedthatthe centres necessitate long-term financialcommitments fromtheprovince so theycan operatearound-the-clock. p >“Aslongaswearen’t constructingtransitional housing, itwill cost$20millionper yearbecause winterarrivesevery year,” Martinez Ferrada stated. p >James Hughes , critic onhomelessnessfor th e Q uebec Liberal Partymentionedhis partywouldbe keepingan eyeon whether thenewemergency fundingincludes24/7services at sheltersand supportfor individualslivingin publicspaces likeencampments. p > img >
James Hughes , former CEOofthe Old Brewery Mission, isth e Q uebec Liberal Partycriticonhomelessness.(CBC)
“Wehad hopedthat[thepremier]would announce recurrentfunding everywinterso organizationscould secure staffing.. butthatcanbe addressedlater,” Hughes mentionedin an interview.Inastatementissued Friday, Q uebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand statedhis administrationwouldbe readyto take action“onceweknowhowfundswillbeallocatedin Quebec City.”
Source link
