The CAQ can afford to govern for the next two or three years without always thinking about making short-term gains in the polls.
More than ever, “unsexy” governance is needed. Let’s put aside the cutting of the ribbon and the political candy to settle deep issues.
public housing
We learned on Wednesday that 1,700 housing units in Montreal HLMs are vacant, while 24,000 people are on the waiting list.
That’s not all ! Robert Pilon, of the Federation of tenants of low-income housing in Quebec, explains that more than 6,000 inhabited dwellings are infested with vermin, such as bedbugs.
The Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal requests a budget of $150 million per year, but it receives only half of it.
Repairing roofs or renovating housing already built is less sexy than building seniors’ homes. But the more the problem is neglected, the worse it gets.
Mental Health
The death of Amélie Champagne has brought to light the crying mental health needs that affect everyone, regardless of social class.
However, there are solutions that deserve attention. For example, the community network, outside of hospitals, such as crisis centers and self-help groups.
But have you ever heard of it? Why aren’t we promoting it more? Why did it take nearly 20 years to have a crisis center in Estrie?
Same thing for young people: the group of youth centers calls on the government for help. They receive only a third of the budgets necessary for their survival!
Photo courtesy, Annie Diotte
Pascal Morrissette attended youth centers, which allowed him to become the man he is today.
These houses are there to keep young people hooked and avoid the streets. ” [Quand j’étais jeune], crime was an option,” host Pascal Morrissette told me in an interview with QUB. He got out of it thanks to these youth centres.
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Energy development
Another issue which is not sexy, but which is very crucial: the management of our territory. To become the battery of North America, Quebec will have to make difficult decisions.
Quebec has the opportunity to become a major geopolitical player in the energy transition, writes specialist Yvan Cliche in his most recent book Until more thirsty.
On the other hand, power lines, wind turbines, solar panels, dams, mines… it has to be done somewhere, and generally, where people live.
Let’s take the time to have this not very sexy reflection on these major developments to avoid replaying the shale gas movie.
The CAQ has the luxury of time and the luxury of having the support of a large part of the population. It’s time to take care of those who really need it. It’s time to take risks and govern for the good of all, and forget for the moment that you have to win the next election.