Quebec City mayor Bruno Marchand on Thursday called on the leaders of every provincial political party in Quebec to commit to a zero‑homelessness target for the province. He outlined a plan that includes a national summit, a boost in social‑housing construction and a new approach to measuring homelessness, aiming to eradicate the problem across Quebec.
The mayor’s appeal comes as the province continues to see an upward trend in the number of people without stable housing. By urging parties to adopt a unified objective, Marchand hopes to create a coordinated response that can address the underlying causes and provide lasting solutions.
Among the proposals presented, Marchand suggested convening a national summit that would bring together policymakers, service providers and community groups to share best practices and develop a cohesive strategy. He also emphasized the need for increased construction of social‑housing units, arguing that expanding affordable housing stock is essential to preventing people from falling into homelessness.
A further element of the mayor’s plan is the introduction of a new method for counting homelessness. The updated approach is intended to provide more accurate data, allowing authorities to better target resources and track progress toward the zero‑homelessness goal.
While the call was directed at provincial party leaders, Marchand indicated that the initiative would require collaboration across all levels of government and the nonprofit sector. He noted that a province‑wide commitment could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
The mayor’s announcement marks a significant step in Quebec’s ongoing efforts to confront rising homelessness. By setting an ambitious target and outlining concrete measures, the proposal seeks to move the province toward a future where no resident lacks safe, stable housing.