Beati Foundation expresses its full and unequivocal solidarity with community organizations across Quebec that are currently mobilizing as part of the “Le communautaire à boutte!” movement, in a context of chronic underfunding and increasing structural pressures on the social safety net. Day after day, these organizations sustain an essential social safety net, often with insufficient resources. Year after year, needs continue to grow, teams are exhausted, and prospects for improvement remain uncertain. The current mobilization, including the strike announced from March 23 to April 2, reflects an untenable situation. We recognize that our society relies heavily on the strength, expertise, and commitment of the community sector. In a context where the state is withdrawing from its social responsibilities and shifting increasing pressure onto community organizations, it is all the more essential to reaffirm that adequate funding, recognition, and the long-term sustainability of the community sector are прежде and foremost the responsibility of the state. As a Foundation, we refuse to substitute for this role, while acknowledging our responsibility to act in a coherent and committed manner. This includes, in particular: Strengthening our support for unrestricted funding, to enable organizations to carry out their work according to their own priorities; Reducing administrative requirements and reporting mechanisms, so that resources can be directed where they have the greatest impact; Fully recognizing the autonomy of organizations and their expertise rooted in the realities of their communities; Contributing, within our means, to more just and sustainable conditions for those who carry out this essential work. We fully recognize and support the demands put forward by the movement: decent working conditions, sufficient and stable funding, full recognition, and the protection of community sector autonomy. These demands are legitimate. They are necessary. We reaffirm our commitment to stand actively and sustainably alongside the community sector, fully assuming our role and responsibilities. Because a strong social safety net cannot rest on the exhaustion of those who uphold it. To support or join the movement: https://aboutte.info/
For decades, Québec’s autonomous community sector has supported our society with remarkable consistency and deeply rooted commitment. These organizations, essential to Québec’s social cohesion, have nonetheless been weakened by years of underfunding. In today’s context of overlapping crises—social, climate, economic, and democratic—their role is more vital than ever. As an actor in the philanthropic sector, the Béati Foundation believes that philanthropy can play an important complementary role in supporting groups and their missions, but it cannot, and must not, replace the fundamental responsibility of the State. To ensure dignified living conditions and a healthy democracy, it is the government’s duty to invest sustainably and structurally in civil society. Today, thousands of community groups are mobilizing: For adequate, mission-based funding Organizations are calling for sufficient, global funding that reflects real needs and is not conditioned by performance-based logic. They cannot be treated as subcontractors: their collective role extends far beyond the simple delivery of services. For the autonomy of groups Organizations must be able to defend rights, challenge when necessary, and act freely alongside communities striving for equity. This autonomy is non-negotiable. For a strong social safety net In a context of eroding public services, a housing crisis, growing inequalities, and the climate emergency, social movements—community, labour, student, ecological, and citizen-led—remain essential engines of solidarity and change. For a vibrant democracy A healthy democracy needs strong counter-powers. Weakening citizen voices, rights-defence groups, or community organizations undermines our collective ability to shape the society we aspire to build. The responsibility to meet the population’s needs lies first with those elected to serve it. The resilience of community groups cannot replace fair public policies. Organizations already carry more than their share. As a Foundation, we reaffirm our support for community groups that, day after day, work to strengthen social ties, defend rights, and accompany populations directly affected by the crises we are facing. This Saturday, November 29, Québec is mobilizing for our rights. The Béati Foundation will be present alongside communities taking action. We owe it to the history we carry, to the communities that resist and innovate, and to the society we aspire to build.