Poverty elimination has stalled in the Eastern Townships, say local orgs
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On Oct. 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Table d’Action Contre l’Appauvrissement de l’Estrie (TACAE) held a press conference to shed light on the deepening poverty crisis in the region. Two years after launching their “Mission Possible” initiative, TACAE’s evaluation revealed that not only has poverty not diminished, but several social issues have worsened despite government assurances and plans.
Rosalie Dupont, co-coordinator of TACAE, presented a grim overview: “We are here to deliver a tough message to our elected officials: you have failed to meet any of the eight objectives we gave you two years ago. We’re seeing more people in food banks, a record increase in homelessness, and rents in Sherbrooke have risen by over 50 per cent since 2021.” She emphasized that the 2023 figures marked a record year for food bank usage, with a 30 per cent increase in demand compared to the previous year.
Dupont also criticized Quebec’s Minister Chantal Rouleau, who presented a new action plan against poverty in June. “Four times less money is invested compared to the previous plan, and no measures are included to improve the income of the poorest citizens. This is the worst poverty plan ever presented in Quebec,” she declared, adding that the poverty rate in Quebec remains unacceptably high, with more than one in ten people living below the poverty line.
A closer look at the impact on students
The conference highlighted various demographics particularly affected by the worsening crisis, including students. Alice Rodriguez Doutreloux, a representative from a local student association, shared her experiences: “Our food bank usage has skyrocketed, and students are struggling to pay for basic needs like rent and groceries. It’s not right—education should be a priority, not a burden,” she said.
She explained that many students are forced to work beyond the recommended hours, compromising their academic performance. “We see students working more than 20 hours a week, which studies show can negatively impact their grades. Financial hardship was responsible for 31 per cent of CEGEP dropouts last year,” Doutreloux added.
She also noted that students have increasingly sought assistance from their collective insurance plans for mental health and dental services, indicating a growing need for comprehensive support systems. “Our student association has had to expand services to accommodate the growing demand, and we are advocating for better support for internships and fair wages for student work placements,” Doutreloux stressed.
