Members of the National Table of Community Development Corporations (NTCDC), including the CDC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, have made a heartfelt plea to the Quebec government, asking it to formally commit to the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

In line with the national campaign launched a few days ago, members and partners of the TNCDC traveled to Parliament Hill earlier this week and were "knocked out" by the government's disengagement in the face of the social crisis. Members of parliament from the three opposition parties were also present to show their support for the action, fully aware of the urgency to act.

This action also coincides with the National Week of Autonomous Community Action, which aims to highlight the importance and indispensable role of community organizations in Quebec's social safety net.

Sébastien Legros, Executive Director of the CDC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges

"The government's disengagement in the face of the social crisis puts our safety net at risk. Every day, community organizations in Vaudreuil-Soulanges receive new requests for support from vulnerable people, particularly due to the shortage of affordable housing. Without a massive reinvestment, we won't be able to meet these urgent needs. It's time to move from a Quebec 'knocked out' to a Quebec 'OK,' with concrete and immediate actions," said Sébastien Legros, Executive Director of the CDC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

Rebuilding the Social Safety Net

Ahead of the upcoming economic update, the NTCDC is calling for substantial investments to strengthen vital services. Specifically, the organization is demanding:

The implementation of direct support programs for people living below the poverty line, including increases in social assistance benefits to at least match the cost of living as defined by the Market Basket Measure;

Access to decent, truly affordable housing, outside of speculative markets, for those facing poverty and social exclusion across Quebec;

A significant increase in investments in public services (healthcare, education) to address the growing needs of citizens and ensure equitable access to these services;

Sufficient and recurring funding for community organizations to effectively support vulnerable populations.

"Once again, we are missing opportunities. The release of a fourth plan to combat poverty and social exclusion lacks real structural measures, a National Housing Strategy that fails to address actual needs, and a minor reform of social assistance with little impact," concluded Marie-Line Audet, Executive Director of the NTCDC.