Kevin Lambert, an author who has been complimented for his most recent book by François Legault, took the opportunity to assert his opinion contrary to that of the CAQ on the housing crisis. His criticism was widely applauded on social media.
It is a common practice of the Prime Minister. Regularly, he publishes his readings on his Facebook account and accompanies them with his personal impressions, always to compliment the individual behind the book. This time it was a little different.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Legault says the 30-year-old author has “a lot of talent.” His book May our joy remain tells how an internationally renowned architect is accused of neighborhood gentrification. The Prime Minister sees in it a “nuanced criticism of the Quebec bourgeoisie”, but also how “pressure groups and journalists are looking for scapegoats for the housing crisis in Montreal”.
“I have no problem with the fact that he reads people who are outside his echo chamber, reasons Kevin Lambert, in an interview. What I want to respond to is his interpretation of the book. »
“Mr. Legault, in the midst of a housing crisis, while your government is working to undermine the last ramparts that protect us from extreme gentrification in Montreal, putting my book forward is pathetic, commented the author. You have to read with your eyes closed not to see how the portrait of the city that is portrayed in the novel goes against the destructive, anti-poor, anti-immigrant, pro-landlord and pro-rich policies of your government. »
Kevin Lambert and François Legault subsequently exchanged several comments under the original publication.
“The housing crisis is raging everywhere in the big cities of the world. We can differ on the solutions. We believe that the solution lies in a greater supply of housing and help for people on low incomes rather by freezing the price of housing which would come to harm an increase in supply, “wrote the PM in particular during this exchange.
You are not scapegoats, you are people in positions of power who could do something and do nothing. There’s a word for that: responsible.
Kevin Lambert at the CAQ
To pass a message
In the end, the author did not have the impression of having had a real debate, which Mr. Legault described as “difficult” to do in his publication. He has the feeling that he was answered with “ready-made sentences”.
A native of Chicoutimi, Mr. Lambert was struck by the gentrification of certain neighborhoods when he moved to Montreal. His work does not carry a single precise message, but it invites us to reflect “on the impact of new constructions on the social fabric” and on the “commodification of housing” for purely economic ends.
He didn’t expect anyone to respond to his comment, but says he’s very happy with the support and enthusiasm that his ideas have generated among hundreds of Internet users.
“I said to myself: ‘as soon as he reads it, I can send him a message directly, to use this window.’ I’m no expert, but there are some blind spots in his government’s vision. »