Photo by William Crooks
Protesters in Sherbrooke gather on Oct. 17 for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, urging the government to address rising homelessness, food bank reliance, and inadequate wages.

Poverty elimination has stalled in the Eastern Townships, say local orgs

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

On Oct. 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Table d’Action Contre l’Appauvrissement de l’Estrie (TACAE) held a press conference to shed light on the deepening poverty crisis in the region. Two years after launching their “Mission Possible” initiative, TACAE’s evaluation revealed that not only has poverty not diminished, but several social issues have worsened despite government assurances and plans.

Rosalie Dupont, co-coordinator of TACAE, presented a grim overview: “We are here to deliver a tough message to our elected officials: you have failed to meet any of the eight objectives we gave you two years ago. We’re seeing more people in food banks, a record increase in homelessness, and rents in Sherbrooke have risen by over 50 per cent since 2021.” She emphasized that the 2023 figures marked a record year for food bank usage, with a 30 per cent increase in demand compared to the previous year.

Dupont also criticized Quebec’s Minister Chantal Rouleau, who presented a new action plan against poverty in June. “Four times less money is invested compared to the previous plan, and no measures are included to improve the income of the poorest citizens. This is the worst poverty plan ever presented in Quebec,” she declared, adding that the poverty rate in Quebec remains unacceptably high, with more than one in ten people living below the poverty line.

A closer look at the impact on students

The conference highlighted various demographics particularly affected by the worsening crisis, including students. Alice Rodriguez Doutreloux, a representative from a local student association, shared her experiences: “Our food bank usage has skyrocketed, and students are struggling to pay for basic needs like rent and groceries. It’s not right—education should be a priority, not a burden,” she said.

She explained that many students are forced to work beyond the recommended hours, compromising their academic performance. “We see students working more than 20 hours a week, which studies show can negatively impact their grades. Financial hardship was responsible for 31 per cent of CEGEP dropouts last year,” Doutreloux added.

She also noted that students have increasingly sought assistance from their collective insurance plans for mental health and dental services, indicating a growing need for comprehensive support systems. “Our student association has had to expand services to accommodate the growing demand, and we are advocating for better support for internships and fair wages for student work placements,” Doutreloux stressed.

Workers’ struggles and systemic issues

The press conference also featured representatives from other organizations tackling poverty in the region. Nellie Quane-Arsenault, from Illusion Emploi, highlighted the challenges faced by non-unionized workers in Estrie. She criticized the government’s stance that employment is the solution to poverty: “Working a full-time job at the minimum wage of $15.75 per hour does not lift people out of poverty. Even with full-time work, many are struggling to make ends meet,” she asserted.

She said that according to research by the Institut de recherche et d’information socio-économique (IRIS), a living wage in Sherbrooke would require an individual to earn $33,878 annually—significantly more than what a minimum-wage worker currently earns.

Quane-Arsenault further argued that the government’s refusal to implement a meaningful increase to the minimum wage demonstrates a lack of commitment to addressing poverty. “The government’s focus on pushing people into the workforce without improving conditions or wages is a political choice that keeps workers trapped in poverty,” she stated.

Geneviève Bouchard from Action Plus de l’Estrie also took the stage to discuss the recent social assistance reforms. “The government has made some changes, but they are far from enough. For example, separating the marital allowance is a step, but the amounts remain insufficient,” she explained, noting that the new reforms do not adequately address the financial needs of individuals with severe employment constraints.

TACAE concluded the press conference by calling for an immediate overhaul of the poverty action plan and significant investment in affordable housing, income support programs, and community services. “Quebec has the resources to eradicate poverty; it’s a matter of political will,” Dupont emphasized. TACAE representatives are scheduled to meet with regional CAQ representatives to present their findings and demand changes.

Community mobilization in Cowansville

In Cowansville, Action Plus Brome-Missisquoi (APBM) and the Corporation de Développement Communautaire de Brome-Missisquoi (CDCBM) organized a public gathering to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. A press release states the event brought together over 30 community leaders and residents to discuss the impact of poverty in Brome-Missisquoi and to advocate for substantial policy changes.

Held at the Maison des Jeunes, the event included workshops focusing on Quebec’s fourth poverty action plan and recent reforms to social assistance. Participants engaged in discussions about the lack of tangible support provided by the provincial government. Fiona Brilvicas, representing APBM, voiced her concerns: “The new social assistance reform fails to address the punitive nature of the current system. It introduces superficial measures without increasing funds to genuinely help people escape poverty,” she said. “We need real solutions that address the systemic barriers keeping people in poverty, not temporary fixes.”

Nicolas Gauthier, CDCBM’s director, highlighted the need for community solidarity. “We are witnessing a tightening of budgets and longer lines at food banks, leading to increased distress among residents. It was crucial to create a space for dialogue and reflection on the insufficient measures implemented by the government,” Gauthier noted. He emphasized that the outcomes of the workshop would be communicated to Isabelle Charest, the MNA for Brome-Missisquoi, in the upcoming days.

The growing strain on community resources

The Cowansville event underscored the mounting pressure on community organizations as they face increased demand for services with limited resources. “Community organizations are struggling to keep up with the rising needs. Our budgets are not keeping pace, and we are increasingly asked to do more with less,” Brilvicas explained. She highlighted that the government’s response to poverty often bypasses the root causes, such as inadequate housing and mental health support.

A demonstration followed the workshops, with participants gathering at the corner of Church and South streets to call for more comprehensive anti-poverty measures. Protesters held banners urging the government to invest more in affordable housing and social programs. “Poverty is not just about lack of money; it’s about systemic inequality,” one demonstrator stated. “We need policies that provide long-term solutions, not short-term relief.”