Community groups calling for CAQ minister Chantal Rouleau’s resignation

Chantal Rouleau is sworn-in as minister responsible for social solidarity during a cabinet shuffle at the legislature in Quebec City, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Angry at Social Solidarity Minister Chantal Rouleau, the Réseau québécois de l’action communautaire autonome (RQ-ACA) and the Le communautaire à boutte movement are calling for her resignation.

They are asking outgoing Premier François Legault to find them a new point of contact, and to do so “immediately.”

Last week, community stakeholders launched what has been described as historic pressure tactics to demand more funding.

However, last Friday, while taking part in a question and answer session at the National Assembly, Rouleau argued that her government was already doing a great deal for the sector.

In particular, she pointed out that more than $2 billion would be invested in the community sector this year.

“Madam President ... that is no small matter. It is an approach that demonstrates a historic and institutional recognition of the role played by the autonomous community sector in Quebec society,” she said.

Quebec Solidaire (QS) MNA Etienne Grandmont then came to the defence of community groups, which he argued are indeed underfunded, at a time when “needs are skyrocketing.”

“The community sector is at breaking point because it is propping up a social safety net that current and past governments have refused to fund adequately,” he said. “It always has to do more with less.”

The way the sector is funded—through projects and “one-off, targeted, conditional grants” — creates “constant instability” and forces groups to “chase” after money, he argued.

According to Caroline Toupin of the RQ-ACA and Mathieu Gélinas of the “à boutte” movement, the minister spent more time on Friday defending her record than discussing the “real distress currently being experienced on the ground.”

They also claim that Rouleau refused to meet with community stakeholders following Friday’s parliamentary question time. In their view, the minister “does not grasp the gravity of the situation.”

“Rouleau has turned her back on more than 1,800 organizations on strike and more than 20,000 community workers,” Toupin and Gélinas said on Monday.

In addition to demanding Rouleau’s resignation, they say they wish to meet with the current premier or his successor to work on a “catch-up plan.”

They are also calling for a portion of the $250 million in discretionary funding that the future premier will have at their disposal, as well as the continuation of the Fund for Independent Community Action.

“Until genuine commitments are made by the Coalition Avenir Québec, the movement will continue to escalate its pressure tactics,” they warned.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 30, 2026.