In Quebec, people on social assistance are particularly frowned upon. This finding is the result of collaborative research between the Canada Research Chair in Media Education and Human Rights (EMDH Chair) and the Collective for a Poverty-Free Quebec. The results of their work have been adapted for the general public as part of a traveling exhibition co-produced by TÉLUQ University.
Contrary to what one may hear in the media or public debates, which often evoke discrimination based on ethnic origin, sexual orientation, culture or religion, our study has shown that the group most discriminated among us and who are the subject of the most negative representations, it is people on social assistance,” explains Normand Landry, professor in the Department of Human Sciences, Letters and Communication at TÉLUQ University and holder of the EMDH Chair. Drawing on the vast academic research carried out collectively, he led the exhibition project We, portraits of social assistancewhich is presented at the Écomusée du fier monde in Montreal until October 9, before going to deconstruct prejudices elsewhere in Quebec.
Very Québécois prejudices
Social assistance programs and the people who benefit from them are looked down upon more in this country than among our American neighbours. “Work is the main factor that determines whether we have hostility towards people on social assistance, which is very specific to Quebec. In the United States, social assistance programs are frowned upon because they combine racial discrimination with that based on social class,” Normand Landry compares.
During the exhibition, visitors are invited to enter the “prejudice box”, filled with striking testimonies. “The inside of the box is lined with all the prejudices that people on social assistance believe they are subject to, with statistics presented in visual form”, describes the professor. Quebecers believe, for example, that social assistance programs cost up to 21% of the state budget, whereas this represents only between 2 and 3%. “But when given the correct figure, a majority of Quebecers would not increase this budget. This shows their hostility towards these people, because they believe that they should contribute more to the collective effort by working,” underlines Mr. Landry.
Amazed visitors
The reactions of the first visitors were often marked by amazement. “What shocks people a lot is to learn about the real living conditions of people benefiting from social assistance programs,” observes Normand Landry. Many were unaware, for example, that a single person, considered employable, receives $726 in monthly benefits. “It’s less than half of what is needed to meet basic needs,” said the professor.
The complexity of the cumulative rules to be respected and the procedures necessary to benefit from social assistance also surprise the public, such as ineligibility if one has more than $887 in the bank. “If you have $1,000 in your bank account, you are asked to spend it to qualify. It’s like putting you almost against the wall financially, because you’re very close to the street when you have less than $1000 in cash! denounces Mr. Landry.
The “inclusion map” interactively shows visitors which public places in the city they can visit (airport, museum, public swimming pool, theme park, etc.) according to their income. “It makes them reflect on the dynamics of territorial segregation inside our cities, where we believe that everything is open to everyone. But in fact, spaces are reserved for those who have more means,” explains Normand Landry.
After Montreal, the exhibition will go to Drummondville, to be presented at the end of October at the Musée national de la photographie Desjardins until Christmas, then at the National Assembly of Quebec in 2023. It could then continue on its way to Rimouski and elsewhere in the province. , hopes the holder of the EMDH Chair.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.