William Crooks
Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie spoke with residents at the Fonds d’investissement citoyen event, where citizens voted on funding for local projects

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Residents of Sherbrooke had the opportunity to directly influence community funding on Feb. 8, 2025, during the eighth edition of the Fonds d’investissement citoyen, a participatory budgeting initiative spearheaded by Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie. Held at the Centre Multi Loisirs Sherbrooke, the event invited citizens to vote on 46 local projects, with a total of $100,000 in discretionary funds up for allocation.

“This is about giving power to the citizens,” Labrie explained on the scene. “Half of my discretionary budget is handed over to the public so they can decide which projects matter most.” She emphasized that while she retains the other half for year-round initiatives, the participatory format allows residents to engage directly in funding decisions.

Citizens voted preferentially, ranking the projects they wished to see funded. Labrie highlighted the educational aspect of the process, noting that it not only boosts awareness of local initiatives but also sheds light on the financial constraints many organizations face. “Unfortunately, we can’t fund them all,” she said. “But it’s an eye-opener for people to see just how many great projects exist in our community.”

One of the organizations seeking funding was the Club d’Arts Martiaux Historiques de Sherbrooke (CAMHS), a group dedicated to European martial arts. Representative Leeloo Marchese explained that their project focused on acquiring foam training swords to make the sport more accessible. “The goal is to make this practice open to as many people as possible,” he said. “Foam swords allow children, people with disabilities, and those with lower physical strength to safely engage in the discipline.”

Marchese described CAMS as a growing community built over the past decade, with particular momentum in the last two years. Beyond combat techniques, he emphasized that their training integrates historical education and self-discipline. “It’s about channeling energy,” he noted. “Many kids and adults have a lot of energy, sometimes even aggressive impulses, and this provides a structured way to direct that into something positive.”

Projects funded in previous editions of the Fonds d’investissement citoyen have ranged from social services and environmental initiatives to cultural and recreational programs. Labrie said that each year, new organizations participate alongside returning applicants, and the event consistently draws hundreds of voters. “This is an exercise in civic engagement,” she said. “It brings visibility to these projects and gets people involved in shaping their community.”

With voting continuing at Labrie’s constituency office over the following week, final allocations will soon be determined. While not every project will receive funding, Labrie is confident that the initiative helps strengthen Sherbrooke’s social fabric. “This process belongs to the citizens,” she said. “It’s their choices that will shape what gets funded and what grows in our community.”