Quebec election candidates face rising costs of homelessness and childcare shortages

As the Quebec provincial election campaign progresses, political candidates and municipal leaders are focusing on critical social and economic issues. The Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) has called for a national action plan to address homelessness, citing a study by AppEco which reveals that homelessness now costs Quebec public services over $1.1 billion annually. This equates to approximately $95,000 per person experiencing homelessness.

In the Outaouais region, the cost of homelessness is estimated at over $82 million per year. In response to these rising costs, some initiatives like the Transitiôn Québec residential container project aim to provide more affordable alternatives, costing roughly $22,000 per person annually.

Other election priorities include childcare access and infrastructure. In the Duplessis riding, candidates are debating solutions for childcare shortages, with Québec solidaire proposing paid internships to attract more educators. Meanwhile, in Montreal's East End, Québec solidaire has outlined a plan involving $5 billion for hospital modernization and improved public transit. In Drummondville, Mayor Jean-François Houle has requested that candidates take clear positions on 13 key issues, including healthcare, housing, and economic development.