Community Organizations Hold Two-Week Strike to Demand Government Fulfill Its Responsibilities
Gatineau picket, March 28, 2026
From March 23 to April 2, 1,809
community organizations spread across Quebec's 17 administrative
regions held a two-week strike to demand the Quebec government
take up its social responsibility by making a substantial
investment in the community sector -- considered a pillar of the
social safety net -- to meet the growing needs of the people.
These organizations are responsible for crisis and suicide
prevention centres, food assistance, distress hotlines,
delinquency prevention, daycare centres and palliative care
facilities, support for families affected by violence, shelters,
and support for seniors -- to name just some of their
responsibilities which are crucial to society. The consequences
of deliberate government underfunding of these organizations are
dramatic: loss of skilled workers, constant staff turnover,
teams too small to meet growing needs, ever longer wait lists
along with a myriad of reduced or outright cancelled services.
The movement "Communautaire ŕ boutte" (Community Organizations at the End of their Rope) began in Shawinigan and Mékinac before spreading to all regions of Quebec. It condemns the chronic underfunding, mounting social needs and the growing burnout of staff in community organizations. More than 20,000 workers have participated in the strike actions. They warn that without significant investment the long-term viability of many organizations is at risk. Close to three million people use these services, and those in this sector refuse to leave the people they serve to fend for themselves in the most wretched way.
During the presentation of the Quebec budget on March 18, the government's contempt for those who provide and use these services took the form of some crumbs scattered in their direction in an attempt to silence them.
It is estimated that an additional investment of $2.6 billion would be required to ensure some form of long-term viability. "This is also an issue of equity, as it is predominantly women who are affected by this untenable situation, both as workers and as service users," argues Caroline Toupin, spokesperson for the coalition of community organizations.
"No matter who we are, across Quebec, it is easy to see that we are experiencing a historic crisis in living conditions, whether we're talking about access to health care, housing or the cost of groceries. But despite this, we also recognize that we can do a great deal to help one another at the local level, thanks to community groups. Although this represents an effective and democratic way of meeting the needs of the local population, it requires resources to function," adds Ria Mayer, community organizer with the Pointe-Saint-Charles and Petite-Bourgogne Community Legal Services.
Marches, rallies in front of the offices of Members of the National Assembly, leaflet distributions, car convoys, soup kitchens and other gatherings were held to demand the fulfilment of rights which belong to people by virtue of being human. Their actions have received the support of thousands upon thousands of people, including volunteers as well as those who depend on the services these organizations provide, because they will be the first to be affected if these organizations do not receive sufficient funding. Faced with growing insecurity and poverty, they have smashed the silence on this situation by making widely known their demands for more resources and adequate pay which permits them to carry out their responsibilities.
The strike concluded on April 2 with a mass rally in front of the Quebec National Assembly. In the meantime, the movement continues to press for its demands.
Pickets in central region of Quebec on Day 1 of strike, March
23, 2026
Pickets in central region of Quebec on Day 2 of strike, March
24, 2026
Gatineau, March 28, 2026
(Photos: Communautaire ŕ boutte, Maison Des Jeunes Mont
Laurier, CDC Longueuil, TROC GQM)
This article was published in
Volume 56
Number 20 - April 15, 2026
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T560202.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca