Quebec City mayor faces criticism over remarks on homelessness

Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand is facing criticism from local community groups after comments he made about homelessness and encampments. At a news conference this week, Marchand repeated his administration’s zerotolerance stance on encampments and said homelessness does not give people the right to do anything they want. He also argued that residents in affected neighbourhoods deserve consideration. Community organizations, including the Regroupement pour l'aide aux itinérants et itinérantes de Québec, said the mayor’s language risks reinforcing stigma at a time when homelessness is rising in Quebec City, especially in the SaintRoch area. They said the issue is not whether people support encampments, but whether there are enough appropriate housing and shelter options. Marchand said the city already has alternatives such as shelters and a recently opened respite centre, and later said he will continue working with groups on the ground. A meeting with RAIIQ has been scheduled.