Sister Ursule Beaulieu of Rimouski, Canada, tells us about her active involvement in social initiatives to defend human rights in our world, which took place on September 15, 2024.

At a time of major cost-of-living increases in Quebec, a major housing crisis, a wave of austerity in health and social services as well as in education, it’s time to remind the government of its promises while chanting our demands.

The Comité Logement du Bas-Saint-Laurent organized several activities in which I participated.

A demonstration

On September 4, 200 people demonstrated in front of the Rimouski hotel, where members of the CAQ, the Coalitionpour l’Avenirdu Québec, our government’s current party, were meeting in caucus. Together with community organizations and unions, we raised our voices in support of the marginalized and impoverished in our society.

On September 15, from all over the province, we came to Quebec City to demonstrate together. We marched through the streets to the National Assembly to demand that the Quebec government set a clear target for new social and community housing.

Social and community housing

Some 1,500 people of all ages, races and backgrounds chanted our demands together. We raised our voices so that there be no more poorly housed people in our midst. The key is social and community housing.

A large delegation from the Lower Laurentians mobilized to tackle Quebec’s housing crisis.

And on October 4, in Rimouski, some 175 people took part in a symposium organized for the entire Lower Saint-Lawrence Region: JASONS HABITION. Panels, presentations and discussions among us strengthened our desire to work together to reflect on sustainable solutions.

The housing crisis is having a major impact on citizens and social organizations. What can we do? We defend the right to housing, continue to consult and collaborate, challenge and involve our elected representatives to build a common vision for housing in our region. The key? The development of social and community housing.

 Cast our nets into deep water

It’s in the name of my community that I participate in these social issues. It is also a/in reply to Jesus’ invitation to cast our nets into deep water.

Sr Ursule Beaulieu, fj,

Rimouski, Canada