Québec solidaire has pledged to allocate $57 million annually for three years to support victims of domestic violence in rebuilding their lives after fleeing abusive homes. This commitment follows a string of femicides early in the year.
The party unveiled this initiative during the kick-off of its campaign in Chicoutimi for the upcoming by-election on Feb. 23. The funding would go towards establishing emergency and second-stage shelters for women in need of long-term accommodation, as well as enhancing support services like psychosocial follow-up.
Ruba Ghazal, co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, emphasized that this financial assistance aligns with the demands of various organizations and stakeholders, including the Coalition of Shelters for Women Victims of Domestic Violence. The Regroupement estimated a funding gap of $57.7 million for 2025-2026 in its brief to the government.
Statistics from the Coalition reveal that one in two women is turned away from shelters due to limited space, attributed to a scarcity of second-stage facilities and bureaucratic hurdles hindering new shelter construction. Ghazal highlighted the challenges faced in obtaining permits, citing discrepancies between federal and provincial regulations as well as unsuitable program criteria.
She urged the Quebec government to allocate the requested funds in the upcoming budget, emphasizing that the safety requirements and unique features of shelters do not fit standard housing construction criteria. Without adequate support, shelters struggle to accommodate and assist those seeking refuge from domestic violence.
