Quebec’s domestic violence support network stretched thin, calls for action
Opposition parties and domestic violence associations are calling out the CAQ government for unfulfilled promises made in 2021 to create more shelter space for women fleeing violence.
Maud Pontel, of the Alliance des maisons d’hébergement de deuxième étape pour femmes et enfants victimes de violence, said the lack of new spaces threatens the entire support system for victims of domestic violence. She’s frustrated at the stalled developments. “And the only thing we’re asking is … go ahead and make it concrete and real,” she told CJLO.
Politicians Brigitte Garceau of the Quebec Liberal Party, Ruba Ghazal of Québec Solidaire, and Joël Arseneau of the Parti Québécois spoke to reporters with the Alliance during a press conference Thursday morning. They strongly expressed the urgency of creating more space for women and children leaving violent homes across the province and stressed that the government can’t approach these shelters the same way it approaches social housing projects.