Brome-Missisquoi community organization representatives gathered to sound the alarm on the area’s current social crisis. Photo by William Crooks
Public meeting on social crisis in Brome-Missisquoi
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On a cloudy June 17 morning in Cowansville, community leaders, journalists, and concerned citizens gathered at the CDC Brome-Missisquoi office for a crucial public meeting. The aim was to shed light on the escalating social crisis affecting the region, characterized by rising homelessness, mental health issues, and economic insecurity. The meeting, organized on short notice, underscored the urgency of addressing these critical issues.
Opening remarks by Nicolas Gauthier
Nicolas Gauthier, Director of the CDC Brome-Missisquoi, opened the meeting with a warm welcome.
“We are here today to address the escalating social crisis affecting our communities. The rise in homelessness, mental health issues, and economic insecurity are alarming. We need to bring these issues to the forefront and work together for solutions,” Gauthier stated.
He emphasized the importance of collective action and introduced the meeting’s agenda, which included a half-hour of presentations followed by a Q&A session.
Julie Coderre on housing issues
Julie Coderre, representing ACEF Montérégie-Est, took the floor to discuss the housing crisis in Brome-Missisquoi. She painted a grim picture of the current situation, mentioning several cases of eviction and poor living conditions.
“We’ve seen an increase in housing issues, including evictions and unsanitary conditions. Many people have no other place to go, and the stress is immense. We need to address these problems urgently,” Coderre said.
She recounted the story of a disabled man who faced eviction but managed to retain his home thanks to the intervention of community organizations. However, many others are not as fortunate. Coderre also mentioned a case where a tenant was waiting for a court hearing, fighting a bad-faith eviction by her landlord.
“We’re also seeing cases of major repairs being used as a pretext to evict tenants, leaving them with no alternative housing options. This has affected at least five tenants in our community,” she added.
Furthermore, Coderre announced the upcoming release of a new guide on tenant rights aimed at helping tenants understand their legal rights and responsibilities. “This guide will be a valuable resource for tenants who often feel powerless and unaware of their rights,” she said.
Cédric Champagne on mental health
Next, Cédric Champagne from Entrée Chez Soi de Brome-Missisquoi addressed the mental health crisis linked to housing problems. He highlighted the direct correlation between housing instability and mental health issues.
“50 per cent of the homeless population experiences mental health issues. We see a significant rise in distress and the demand for support services. The public system is overwhelmed, and we need better funding for community organizations to manage these cases effectively,” Champagne emphasized.
He shared alarming statistics showing a 400 per cent increase in demand for mental health support services in just one year. “In 2024-2025, we’ve already received 53 per cent of the total requests for assistance we saw in 2023-2024, and it’s only May. The situation is dire,” he said.
Champagne called for more substantial investment in community-based mental health services. “Our staff are as competent as those in the public system, but we lack the financial resources. There’s no reason there should be a $10 per hour wage difference between our workers and those in the public sector. We need adequate funding to provide the necessary support,” he argued.
Annie Boulanger on homelessness
Annie Boulanger from the Cellule Jeunes et Familles de Brome-Missisquoi provided a detailed account of the homelessness crisis in the region. She revealed that the number of people experiencing homelessness had quadrupled from 20 last year to 82 this year.
“Our resources are stretched thin, and we need more support to address this growing issue,” Boulanger said. She described the immediate needs of the homeless population, including access to food, sanitation, and emergency shelters.
“People come to us because they’re hungry. We need to adapt our services to meet their needs, asking questions like ‘Do you have a fridge? Do you have a stove?’ to ensure we provide appropriate aid. 61 per cent of those we help first come to us for emergency food assistance,” Boulanger explained.
She highlighted the collaboration with the Centre d’Action Bénévole de Cowansville to provide unified food aid and the necessity of offering essential items like hygiene products and hot or cold beverages. “It’s about meeting basic human needs and treating people with dignity,” she said.
Boulanger also touched on the challenges faced by those without proper identification, making it difficult for them to access healthcare. “We often act as intermediaries, helping them get basic medical supplies and care. It’s a small but crucial part of our support network,” she added.
Jean-François Pomerleau on community response
Jean-François Pomerleau, trustee for the Maison des jeunes de Farnham, spoke about the coordinated community response to homelessness. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts and shared the initiatives taken to support those in need.
“We’ve established emergency shelters in Farnham and Cowansville and deployed street workers to provide direct support. The community has been supportive, but we need sustainable solutions and long-term funding,” Pomerleau stated.
He explained the efforts to open emergency shelters during extreme weather and the ongoing need for such services. “We were fortunate to receive emergency funding from the federal government, which allowed us to open these shelters seven days a week during the coldest months. However, this funding is not guaranteed for the future,” he warned.
Pomerleau called for more comprehensive planning and investment to ensure the sustainability of these essential services. “The population is concerned and supportive, but we need a more stable and long-term approach to address these issues effectively,” he concluded.
Fiona Brilvicas on social safety nets
Fiona Brilvicas, Coordinator of Action Plus Brome-Missisquoi, delivered a passionate speech on the inadequacies of the social safety net. She highlighted the gap between the support provided and the actual needs of the population.
“Our social safety net is failing. People are struggling to meet basic needs, and the current support systems are insufficient. We need comprehensive measures, including a minimum wage increase and better funding for social programs,” Brilvicas argued.
She provided stark statistics to illustrate the insufficiency of social assistance programs. “The income provided by social assistance covers only 46 per cent of the basic needs as measured by the Market Basket Measure (MBM). This is unacceptable,” she said.
Brilvicas called for a significant overhaul of the social assistance system and the implementation of more robust support measures. “We need a minimum wage of $20 per hour, a guaranteed basic income, and substantial investment in social housing. These are not just demands; they are necessities for a just society,” she emphasized.
Responses to questions
During the Q&A session, journalists asked about the causes of the current crisis and the responses from policymakers. Gauthier and the other speakers provided detailed answers, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the crisis and the need for coordinated action.
“The crisis is due to a combination of factors, including rising costs of living, inadequate public investment in social services, and economic disparities. We need urgent action from our policymakers,” Gauthier responded.
Champagne added, “We’re at a breaking point. If we don’t act now, the social fabric of our community will suffer irreparable damage.”
Brilvicas noted the lack of a cohesive strategy from the government. “We hear a lot of promises and expressions of concern, but we need concrete action. The social safety net is in flames, and it’s time for a significant change in approach,” she stated.
A journalist asked about the specific demands being made to the government. Pomerleau explained, “For Brome-Missisquoi, the CDC estimated a funding shortfall of $6 million for community services in 2023. This year, the ROC (Regroupement des organismes communautaires de l’Estrie) estimated a shortfall of $58 million for the region. We need immediate funding and long-term investment in preventive measures.”
The speakers reiterated the need for better funding, more comprehensive planning, and greater collaboration between community organizations and policymakers. “We need to work together to build a more equitable society where everyone’s basic needs are met,” Gauthier said.
The meeting concluded with a collective call to action for both the community and policymakers to address the pressing social issues in Brome-Missisquoi. The speakers emphasized the importance of solidarity, proactive measures, and substantial investment in social services to ensure a just and supportive society for all residents.
As the meeting concluded, the sense of urgency and determination was palpable. The community leaders pledged to continue their advocacy and support for those in need, hoping that their voices would be heard and their demands met.
“We are the canary in the coal mine. If we are feeling the pressure, it’s a sign that our society is on the brink. We need action now,” Champagne said, encapsulating the spirit of the meeting.