Québec solidaire (QS) is proposing to increase social assistance and social solidarity benefits by 45% in order to meet the basic needs of those who benefit from them.
The commitment of political training represents an investment of 1.49 billion dollars per year. With this measure, the basic benefit could, for example, go from $726 to $1,056.
“Imagine paying rent, phone, clothes, groceries with $726 a month. It’s impossible to live with dignity, ”said QS co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, passing through Sherbrooke on Wednesday.
He announced a series of measures to end poverty in Quebec. The political leader notably reiterated his commitment to increase the minimum wage to $18 an hour.
To help small businesses and community organizations bear the costs of this minimum wage increase, QS is promising them a support program of $625 million over four years.
“It would be counterproductive for us to impoverish community groups by increasing the minimum wage. Our program will financially compensate these groups on a transitional basis to help them cash in on this increase,” explained Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
He would like these proposals to be part of the next government action plan to fight poverty. The current plan expires in 2023.
The candidate in Gouin criticized outgoing Premier François Legault for focusing his full attention on the wealth gap between Quebec and Ontario, rather than focusing on the difference in wealth between Quebecers.
“I think it’s indicative of his real priorities,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
The party also wants to provide support of $290 million a year to the community sector in this fight against poverty.
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois was once again back in the Sherbrooke region, where he lent a hand to volunteers and activists in the riding of Saint-François on Tuesday evening. The party hopes to win this seat by presenting an expert in public health, Mélissa Généreux.
This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchanges and The Canadian Press for the news.