Mr. Speaker, homeless people are being excluded more and more from public spaces. Too often, they are treated like second-class citizens. So said the organizers of La Nuit des sans-abri, an event held in Drummondville on October 20.
The gathering was held to raise awareness about the realities people deal with when they struggle with homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. It was an invitation to share and to promote social solidarity with the poor in our communities.
The theme of the event, “Personne n'est à l'abri”, was a reminder that no one is safe from homelessness. Any one of us could lose our job or our home, go through a bad break-up, or fall victim to illness, alcoholism or gambling addiction. In short, any person can go through really hard times and end up homeless or very poor.
The Bloc Québécois is asking the Conservative government to fight poverty and renew funding for homelessness.