QHPC Conference 2025

Homelessness, Housing and the Law.

A day of collective reflection on how law can be used to drive social change.

Centre St-Pierre, Montreal • October 27, 2025

About the Conference

Organized by the Quebec Homelessness Prevention Collaborative (QHPC), the conference Homelessness, Housing, and the Law will bring together policymakers, researchers, and community actors to explore how legal frameworks can help prevent homelessness in Québec.

As part of the Legal Framework Project, this cross-sectoral gathering will mark a pivotal step in the ongoing process. It will provide a strategic platform to deepen reflection, share collective learnings, and broaden dialogue among diverse stakeholders.

Academic presentations, international case studies, and participatory workshops will explore the potential — and limitations — of the law as a tool for social transformation.

one day

to explore how legal frameworks, fundamental rights, and legislative mechanisms can be mobilized to prevent homelessness.

Program

Download the program

  • 8:00 – 8:30 am

    Coffee, pastries, and informal networking. 

    8:30 – 8:45 am

    Spiritual Opening of the Day By Sedalia Fazio, Elder of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community.


    8:45 – 9:00 am

    Opening Remarks and Welcome

    With James Hughes, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission and Co-Chair of the QHPC, and Pearl Eliadis, lawyer, associate professor, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University, steering committee member and chair of the legal framework project, QHPC.

    Introduction to the conference objectives and the context of the legal framework project. 

    9:00 – 9:45 am

    With Myrlande Pierre, Vice-President of the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission. 

    Reflection on the role of fundamental rights in homelessness prevention. 


    10:05 – 11:45 am

    International Panel with:

    Peter Mackie (Professor, Cardiff University, Wales) 

    Juha Kahila (Head of International Affairs, Y-Foundation, Finland) 

    Josépha Dirringer (Senior Lecturer in Private Law and Criminal Sciences, Co-director of the Master's degree in Labor and Social Protection Law, Rennes University, France)

    Overview of legislative frameworks implemented in various countries, their impact on homelessness prevention, and the challenges encountered. Presentations followed by a public Q&A. 

  • 11:45 am – 1:15 pm - Networking Lunch

    12:30 pm – Special Address


    By Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate 

    During this address, Marie-Josée Houle will discuss the advances and challenges related to the recognition and implementation of the right to housing in Canada, offering an institutional perspective on the levers, limitations, and action prospects to realize this right at the federal level.

  • Panel – Law as a Tool for Social Change?

    With Art Campbell (Director, QHPC), François Saillant (Activist, Ligue des droits et libertés), David Waschmuth (Professor, McGill), Isabel Gervais (Principal Advisor on Social Inclusion Prevention, YMCA of Québec), and Pearl Eliadis (Lawyer and Associate Professor, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University). 

    This panel will highlight the work of the legal framework project. The leaders of its subcommittees will share their reflections on how the law can serve as a lever for social transformation. 

  • Four parallel sessions — registration required.

    The aim of these workshops is to actively engage participants in co-constructing an ambitious advocacy strategy for the legal framework project. This will strengthen its impact and reach among decision-makers, as well as structuring a strong collective commitment.

    • Workshop 1: Strengthening the Quebec Charter of Housing Rights
      With Pearl Eliadis (McGill University), Lucie Lamarche (UQAM) and Evelyne Pedneault (Quebec Human Rights and Youth Commission)

    • Workshop 2: Preventing Evictions Through Law
      With Joannie Veilleux (RAPSIM), David Waschmuth (McGill University), and Ines Zerrouki (Vivre en Ville) 

    • Workshop 3: Better Regulating Institutional Discharges
      With Isabel Gervais (YMCA Québec) and James Hughes (Old Brewery Mission) 

    • Workshop 4: Development and Preservation of Social Housing Stock
      With François Saillant (Ligue des droits et libertés) and Carl Lafrenière (FRAPRU)

  • Collective Closure

    Session designed to provide interactive feedback and encourage ongoing engagement with the legal framework project, extending the collective momentum to make homelessness prevention a provincial priority.

  • Location

    The conference will be held at Centre St-Pierre, located at 1212, rue Panet in Montreal (near Beaudry metro station).

    Language

    Simultaneous translation will be available in French and English throughout the event.

    Meals and 5 à 7

    Lunch is included in the ticket price, as well as a drink and appetizers during the 5 à 7.

Speakers

Coming from academic, community, and institutional backgrounds, the speakers invited to this conference bring complementary expertise on issues related to law, housing, and homelessness.

Detailed biographies available here
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  • Director, Québec Homelessness Prevention Collaborative (QHPC)

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  • President and Chief Executive Officer, Old Brewery Mission, Community Co-Chair, QHPC

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  • Head of International Affairs, Y-Säätiö, Finland.

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  • Federal Housing Advocate, Canada.

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  • Housing Rights Advocate and Author, Ligue des droits et libertés, Member of the Legal Framework Project, QHPC

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  • Lawyer, associate professor, Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University, steering committee member and chair of the legal framework project, QHPC

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  • Professor of Private Law and Criminal Sciences, Co-Director of the Master's Program in Labor Law and Social Protection, University of Rennes, France

  • Legal Advisor at the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ), Member of the Legal Framework Project, Québec Homelessness Prevention Collaborative (QHPC) (Observer)

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  • Law Professor, UQAM, Member of the Legal Framework Project, QHPC

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  • Senior Advisor for Social Exclusion Prevention, YMCA Québec, Member of the Steering Committee and Lead of the Institutions Discharge Subcommittee of the Legal Framework Project, QHPC

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  • Community Organizer, FRAPRU

  • Vice-Président, Commission des droits de la personne et de la jeunesse

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  • Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University, co-lead of the Eviction Prevention Working Group (QHPC)

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  • Professor, Cardiff University, Wales

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  • Housing Advisor, Vivre en ville, Member of the Legal Framework Project, QHPC

  • Community Organizer, Réseau d'aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (RAPSIM)

  • Elder of the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community.

Focus on the Legal Framework Project

Led by the CQPI, this collective project aims to co-construct an ambitious legal framework to prevent homelessness in Quebec. It serves as the common thread of the conference.

  • Launched in September 2024, the project Co-constructing a Legal Framework to Prevent Homelessness in Québec aims to make homelessness prevention a national priority.

    Coordinated by the Collectif québécois pour la prévention de l’itinérance (CQPI), the project brings together:

    • National coalitions in housing, homelessness, and rights advocacy;

    • Researchers from several Quebec universities.

    Objectives:

    • To formulate recommendations for legislative reforms;

    • To develop a province-wide advocacy and awareness strategy.

    The project spans 18 months (Sept. 2024 – March 2026) and is based on monthly meetings where participants share expertise, identify gaps in the current legal framework, and propose concrete changes.

  • The work is organized around three priority focus areas:

    • The progressive implementation of the right to housing

    • The introduction of mechanisms to hold the State accountable

    • The creation of enforceable remedies for individuals

    These directions aim to strengthen the effectiveness of the right to housing and the capacity of institutions to sustainably prevent homelessness.

  • Four working subcommittees contribute to the collective reflection:

    • Right to Housing and Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms

    • Eviction Prevention

    • Transitions from Public Institutions

    • Development and Protection of Social Housing Stock

    Each subcommittee brings together experts from academic, community, and institutional sectors.

  • The conference will represent a pivotal milestone in the project Co-Constructing a Legal Framework to Prevent Homelessness in Québec.

    It will serve as a strategic platform to deepen ongoing reflections, share collective learnings, highlight the project’s progress, and foster a broader dialogue between researchers, community organizations, public decision-makers and international partners.

  • The project brings together a diverse range of committed organizations and individuals:

    Community and Institutional Organizations

    • Association des groupes d'intervention en défense des droits en santé mentale du Québec (Steven Collin-Basquill, Nancy Melanson, Co-coordinators)

    • Auberge du coeur (Grace Tabaka, Director of Youth Advocacy)

    • Commission de la santé et des services sociaux des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador (Pierre Simon Cleary, Legal Advisor)

    • Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (Evelyne Pedneault, Legal Advisor, participating as an observer)

    • Dans la rue (Cécile Arbaud, Executive Director)

    • FRAPRU – Front d’action populaire en réaménagement urbain (Carl Lafrenière, Community Organizer)

    • Ligue des droits et libertés (François Saillant, Activist)

    • Observatoire québécois des inégalités (Geoffroy Boucher, Economist)

    • Old Brewery Mission

      • James Hughes, President and CEO

      • Georges Ohana, Director of Homelessness Prevention

    • RAPSIM – Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (Joannie Veilleux, Community Organizer)

    • Réseau québécois des OSBL d’habitation (Pierre-Luc Fréchette, Public and Legal Affairs Manager)

    • ROHMI – Réseau des organismes et intervenants en habitation pour les Autochtones à Montréal (Florence Bordeau, Coordinator)

    • Vivre en Ville (Inès Zerrouki, Housing Advisor)

    • YMCA (Isabel Gervais, Senior Advisor on Exclusion Prevention)

    Universities and Research Centers

    • Max Bell School of Public Policy (Pearl Eliadis, Lawyer and Associate Professor)

    • McGill University (David Wachsmuth, Professor of Urban Governance)

    • Université de Montréal (Laurence Roy, Professor of Rehabilitation)

    • Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

      • Louis Gaudreau, professor of social work

      • Renaud Goyer, substitute professor of social policy and programs

      • Lucie Lamarche, professor of law

    • Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) (Stéphane Grenier, Professor of social work)

    Independent Experts

    • Laura Chartrand (Legal expert)

    • Richard Clare (Real estate lawyer)

Coordination

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  • Project Manager, QHPC

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  • Director, QHPC

Funders

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