Mark Carney confirms federal support for Quebec’s homelessness crisis

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged federal support to assist Quebec and its municipalities in addressing the province’s homelessness crisis. Following the victory of the Parti québécois (PQ) in the provincial election this week, Mr. Carney and premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon held an initial telephone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the emergency, confirming that a federal representative will participate in a future provincial summit on the issue.

Carney Calls Homelessness a Crisis

During a visit to Sherbrooke, Mr. Carney acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing homelessness as a clear crisis. While the federal government has committed to collaboration, Mr. Carney did not specify the exact amount of additional funding Ottawa might provide beyond existing investments. He emphasized that the federal government remains focused on creating affordable and transitional housing for individuals affected by homelessness, noting that the issue is a priority for the future PQ government.

The prime minister explained that there is now the possibility of large (federal) investments in very, very, very affordable housing, referring to transitional housing for people who are affected by homelessness. Mr. Carney stated that the federal government will be present to help, noting that the crisis affects multiple provinces and cities across Canada.

Provincial Targets for 2030

The incoming PQ government has identified homelessness as a central policy focus. During his election campaign, Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to reduce homelessness in the province by 50% by the end of the decade. This plan includes a total investment of $1 billion, split between $600 million for social programs and $400 million for housing initiatives.

Municipal leaders, however, are urging the government to expedite these measures. Jean-François Boily, the mayor of Roberval and a member of the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) homelessness committee, emphasized that the crisis now impacts a diverse demographic, including youth and the elderly, in both urban centers and regional areas. The UMQ released a study in September indicating that the cost of social services for a person experiencing homelessness is 16 times higher than for the average Quebec resident. Mr. Boily has invited the premier-designate and PQ members to attend mayoral meetings regarding homelessness scheduled for November to ensure regional needs are addressed, noting that smaller towns lack the budgets of larger cities.

Calls for Immediate Action

Pressure on the new government has intensified following recent tragic deaths among the unhoused population in Montreal and Granby, as well as an incident in Longueuil where a man nearly died inside a garbage truck. Julie Bourdon, the mayor of Granby, discussed the situation on the program of Patrick Lagacé. James Hughes, a Liberal member-elect for Vaudreuil and former CEO of the Old Brewery Mission, told TVA Nouvelles that the sector requires a rapid response, particularly as winter approaches.

Mr. Hughes argued that the government must secure funding for the emergency measures that were in place last winter, which provided over 3,000 spaces for those in need. He stressed that simply clearing encampments is not a viable solution and advocated for a multi-front approach, including the deployment of psychosocial teams, medical experts in encampments, and the expansion of transitional housing platforms.

Response to Elon Musk’s Comments

During his remarks in Sherbrooke, Mr. Carney also addressed comments by Elon Musk, who has spoken in favor of the independence of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Mr. Carney described the comment as merely an opinion.

The federal government’s commitment to the homelessness file follows a period where the number of tents at the Notre-Dame encampment in Montreal reached record levels, highlighting the urgency of the housing shortage that continues to affect the province.