Quebec's conflicting guidelines stall women's shelter funding

Funding for several women's shelter projects in Quebec has been withdrawn due to conflicting federal and provincial government guidelines, hindering construction despite high demand. The Alliance MH2 network reports that approved projects are stalled because they cannot meet both federal and provincial funding requirements simultaneously. This bureaucratic conflict is delaying the creation of much-needed shelter spaces for victims of domestic violence. SOS Violence Conjugale, a first-line service, turned away over half of nearly 20,000 shelter requests in 2024-2025. Both the CMHC and Quebec's Housing Ministry are working to resolve the issues and prioritize these projects.