The psychological help line created in the spring by the Legault government for municipal elected officials seems to have been useful. In two months, twenty-five calls were made there.
These requests for help were recorded in March and April, just after the line was created at the end of February. The data for May and June are not yet available, according to the Union of Municipalities of Quebec.
The organization that administers the service is also not able to say how many different elected officials called. The service is also available for relatives of elected officials in psychological distress.
Launched at a cost of $2 million, the line was created in the wake of the numerous resignations of municipal elected officials. In total, 741 councilors and mayors have left their positions since the 2021 election. Quebec has around 8,000 in total.
New law and fines
Another help line intended for elected officials from smaller regional municipalities is managed by the Fédération québécoise des municipalities (FQM). However, it was only launched in June, so the FQM does not currently have data on calls, according to its spokesperson, Marie-Ève Dion.
The creation of the two help lines in February also followed shortly after the resignation of the mayor of Gatineau, France Bélisle, which caused quite a stir. The latter then deplored the toxic climate in which she had to work. A new mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, has since been elected at the head of the city.
Meanwhile, on the side of Parliament, Minister Andrée Laforest has just adopted a bill aimed at protecting elected officials. The new law means that citizens who intimidate elected officials face fines of up to $1,500.
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