In a press conference after the event, France-Élaine Duranceau backtracked on her remarks.
A statement by Duranceau that the rent supplement program was “perhaps a little underused” was met with tense reactions from the audience at the États généraux de l’itinérance. The rent supplement program allows low-income households to pay rent equivalent to 25 per cent of their income.
After seeing the audience’s reaction, she tried to correct course by saying, “I’m not blaming you, I’m saying that we need to adapt the program when necessary.”
A woman interrupted the minister, claiming she already knew what Duranceau had to say, which was met with applause from the audience. Nevertheless, Duranceau continued her speech and went on to say that “no one can be evicted in Quebec in a context of renovation.” Her words provoked a wave of protests and booing from the audience.
“It’s a catastrophe,” responded one woman.
In a press conference after the event, the minister backtracked on her remarks, noting that her government put a moratorium in place on evictions.
“It’s not for nothing that we’re running an advertising campaign right now … People need to know their rights,” she said.
“I think this reaction is understandable, given the difficulties people are experiencing on the ground. But I think we’ve come a long way,” she added.
Marie-Jile Cliche, the woman who interrupted the minister, told the Presse Canadienne that Duranceau lacked “manners, consideration and sensitivity.”
“To tell people like me that they ‘just have to invest in real estate.’ She wants me to invest with what?” she said, echoing a statement by the minister that provoked controversy.
Duranceau’s announcement Friday was with federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos on the selection of 22 housing projects that will create 500 homes reserved for people experiencing homelessness.