Quebec Shelters Plead for More Funds: 'Urgent Need for Safe Spaces'

0:00It's April 17th. This is Canada News Today, your AI-powered local news. Quebec women's shelters are pushing the new premiere, Christine Farshet, to put more cash into expanding spots after the province's ninth suspected. Femicide this year. The latest hit, close to home with Hiba El-Razi, a woman in her 20s and downtown Montreal, shot dead by her partner, who's now facing manslaughter. Charges after cops nabbed him at the airport. The province's March budget tossed $21 million over five years as shelter services, but advocates say that barely scratches 40 percent of what's needed with zero set aside for fresh beds. Spokeswoman Alyssa Cludier from the Shelter's Group calls it urgent, stressing they know the risks and gotta protect women now. Staff are burning out too, with low paid chasing away experienced folks despite the tough work. Neighbors of El-Hazi wonder if she had real options to escape, turning a bad spot into outright tragedy. This crunch angest Quebec women's shelters.

1:01Canada points to packed houses nationwide, crumbling buildings with mold and floods, plus sky high. Rents creating a bottleneck where women can't cycle through fast enough. Premier's office hasn't hit back yet, but with calls growing louder for priority funding to beat private developers to the land and build safe spaces. The pressure's on to step up before the next loss.