Mayor Bruno Marchand used a press conference in Quebec City on September 8, 2026, to urge every provincial political party to adopt a clear objective of eliminating homelessness. He framed the appeal as a necessary step to address the ongoing challenge the city faces with people lacking stable shelter. Marchand also proposed that a national summit be convened to coordinate efforts across the country, arguing that a unified forum could accelerate the development of effective policies.
In addition to the summit idea, the mayor highlighted two concrete measures he believes are essential for progress. First, he called for a significant expansion of social housing projects, suggesting that increased capacity would provide a direct route to reducing the number of individuals without homes. Second, he advocated for a revision of how homelessness statistics are collected and reported, contending that more accurate data would help target resources where they are most needed.
The mayor’s remarks come amid persistent reports of homelessness in Quebec City, a situation that has prompted local officials to seek broader support beyond municipal boundaries. By directing his appeal to provincial party leaders, Marchand aims to embed the zero‑homelessness target within party platforms, hoping that future governments will carry the commitment forward regardless of electoral outcomes.
While the mayor did not provide specific timelines or funding details, his call for a national summit signals an intention to bring together policymakers, housing experts, and community organizations to map out a coordinated response. The emphasis on revising statistics reflects a belief that current measurement methods may underestimate the scale of the issue, thereby limiting the effectiveness of interventions.
Marchand’s initiative seeks to transform the abstract goal of ending homelessness into a measurable, actionable agenda, with the expectation that provincial parties will translate the pledge into concrete legislation and funding allocations. The proposed strategies aim to create a framework that can be scaled province‑wide, ultimately contributing to the broader Canadian effort to eradicate homelessness.