The mayor of Quebec took advantage of the Homelessness Summit to remind Minister Lionel Carmant that the measures announced by his government are “welcome”, but that they will not be enough to resolve the crisis.
In a speech to his peers, the mayor of Quebec, who chairs the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) committee on homelessness, invited the minister responsible for Social Services to be ambitious in leading the battle to reduce the homeless problem.
Be ambitious, show us the way.
he told an audience of more than 400 elected officials. In his defense, he can’t be alone in this. We need leaders, we need people who inspire us.
He invited the ministers of the CAQ government to get their hands dirty and show a little Rage
to make things work.
If Mrs. Duranceau isn’t angry, we have a problem. If Mr. Bonnardel, if Mr. Dubé, if Ms. Laforest, if Mr. Fitzgibbon, because he is also economical, the lack of housing… If our Prime Minister is not angry, we will not achieve it.”
Quebec’s mayor played the nationalist card and called on leaders to do more.
The Quebec we dream of is a Quebec that refuses to abdicate
he told the crowd. It is a Quebec that makes it a national issue, it is a Quebec that rejects homelessness.
Insufficient measures
The Minister responsible for Social Services was eagerly awaited at the Homeless Summit. All smiles, Lionel Carmant wanted to assure the mayors that his government has listened to them.
Elected officials did not have much to think about, since all the measures announced by Minister Carmant in his speech had been leaked to the media.
Even before the day began, the mayors were asking for even more. Are we going to accept Mr. Carmant’s outstretched hand? Of course, and I’ll take his arm too.
illustrated Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.
Lionel Carmant proposes an additional $15.5 million to ensure shelters are sufficient before winter arrives. It is not true that short-term measures will allow us to achieve our objectives.
stressed Mayor Bruno Marchand.
He promises to repeat the counting exercise next year and add it to the calendar every two years. The mayor of Quebec applauds, but demands that the results be known quickly. We shouldn’t see results 12 months later!
Noted Absences
The solidarity deputy for Taschereau, Étienne Grandmont, considers that Minister Carmant’s proposals are insufficient. He questions the intentions of the government, which did not consider it appropriate to send a strong signal during the Summit.
We don’t see the Prime Minister or the Housing Minister. That is worrisome
, stressed the supportive Étienne Grandmont. Suggest a consultation plan for the homeless.
The same observation in the Liberal Party. The deputy responsible for the housing file, Virginie Dufour, adds that we can’t just put band-aids on the problem.
Questioned on this topic, Minister Carmant responded: I don’t manage your agenda
remembering in passing that he represents the government.
