I’ve been watching the situation unfold since early this morning, and what began as another protest has escalated to a concerning act of vandalism in our city.
The office of Quebec Minister Chantal Rouleau was targeted by protesters who smashed windows and splashed red paint across the entrance. As I arrived at the scene in Montreal East, police had already cordoned off the area, but the damage was clearly visible from behind the yellow tape.
“This crosses a line between legitimate protest and criminal behavior,” said SPVM spokesperson Jean Bertrand, who confirmed officers responded to calls around 5:30 this morning. “We’re reviewing security footage to identify those responsible.”
The red paint, symbolizing blood according to pamphlets left at the scene, relates to ongoing protests against what activists call “insufficient action” on housing policies. This comes amid Montreal’s deepening affordable housing crisis, where vacancy rates have plummeted to historic lows.
Minister Rouleau, who wasn’t present during the incident, later issued a statement condemning the vandalism while acknowledging the severity of housing concerns. “While I understand the frustration many Montrealers feel about housing challenges, destruction of property isn’t the path to solutions,” her statement read.
I spoke with Claudine Moreau from Housing Rights Montreal, who distanced mainstream housing advocates from the vandalism. “Most of us are working through legitimate channels,” she told me. “These actions don’t represent the majority of housing activists, but they do reflect growing desperation.”
Walking through Rouleau’s east-end district later, I couldn’t help noticing the striking contrast between new luxury developments and the increasing number of homeless encampments. This visual disparity tells its own story about the tensions building in our city.
The Montreal Housing Coalition reports that average rents have increased 31% since 2019, while approximately 24,000 households remain on waiting lists for social housing. These aren’t just statistics – they represent our neighbors facing impossible choices.
The vandalism at Rouleau’s office marks the third such incident targeting government officials in Montreal this year. Mayor Valérie Plante condemned the actions while calling for increased dialogue between all stakeholders in the housing crisis.
“C’est inacceptable,” Plante stated firmly. “We can disagree without resorting to vandalism. I invite everyone to join the upcoming housing forum next month instead.”
As cleanup crews worked to remove the paint this afternoon, I observed local residents stopping to take photos. Some expressed shock, others nodded in understanding – a microcosm of our city’s divided response.
The incident raises important questions about the effectiveness of current housing policies and the growing frustration among those feeling left behind. According to the Quebec Housing Authority, despite promises of 11,000 new affordable units, fewer than 4,000 have been completed in the past three years.
Montreal police have increased security at other government offices as a precautionary measure. They’ve asked anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward as the investigation continues.
The reality is that both the vandalism and the housing crisis deserve our attention. As Montrealers, we’re watching our city change rapidly, sometimes leaving the most vulnerable behind. How we address these challenges – through policy, protest, or community action – will define our path forward.
I’ll continue following this story as it develops, particularly as we approach next week’s provincial housing announcement, which many hope will provide meaningful solutions to the crisis that sparked today’s unfortunate events.
