Quebec's children are worried about rising costs, write letters to politicians

Gabrielle Dufour-Larue empties the Quebec National Assembly mailbox where children can leave messages for their MNAs, in Quebec City, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Caroline Plante / The Canadian Press)

Every year, hundreds of children visit Quebec's National Assembly and take the opportunity to write letters to their elected officials.

In 2019, they were concerned about climate change but now, they are worried about the cost of living -- some even leave hateful comments in their letters.

Gabrielle Dufour-Larue, the National Assembly's educational programs advisor, says every month, she empties the letterbox in the "Action" room and forwards the children's messages to the MNAs concerned.

While in 2019, Greta Thunberg's name was on everyone's minds, and the children were mainly concerned about the environment, five years later, a new issue has appeared: inflation and the cost of living.

"When it comes to the more political subjects, the environment is still on everyone's lips, and then there's the issue of rising prices just about everywhere now," said Dufour-Larue as she opened a few messages.

One such letter from Émie, 10, reads: "I'd like you to lower the prices! My mother and I are having financial problems, and we're not the only ones. Thank you for your understanding."

Another from a young man from Matane criticizes the $2 increase in his school cafeteria: "I think it's a bit too expensive. I know you don't decide the price of my menus, but 'caliclown,' do something. You're lucky I don't tell you about the groceries and the gas."

"I'd like you to lower the prices, because I wanted to buy something, but it was too expensive. I've only got $1," added Janie, 8.

Dufour-Larue says she is delighted to see the "seed of commitment" among young people.

"You have a voice," she said. "Even if you're not old enough to vote at the moment, you can write a message, sign a petition, hold a demonstration, meet your MNA. If you have a question about your region, your neighbourhood, your hockey arena, your school, our MNAs are always accessible," she added.

Some leave 'hateful' messages

Recently, the AssNat Post Office has started receiving "hateful" and even "violent" messages.

Dufour-Larue says she wonders if these young people are being inspired by what they see on social media.

However, "it's very few," she said, putting it into perspective.

"In the 50 or so that we receive, we might get just two, for example. These are really messages that are violent towards MNAs, as we can see, unfortunately, on social media. These messages...are removed, because they are really messages...that have no place for our MNAs," said Dufour-Larue. "On the other hand, messages that criticize MNAs, but in a very constructive way...we pass them on."

One such example is Catherine's letter, which reads: "Thank you François Legault for what you are doing. I would still like the government to care more about the environment."

Charles adds: "I want you to pay more attention to nature."

"We could also consider stopping deforestation," suggests a young girl from Les Escoumins, while Mégane asks, "Could you do something to reduce global warming?"

Still on the environment, "I expect politicians to be able to take concrete action. That's what they're elected to do," said 10-year-old Emma indignantly. "I want the pollution to stop! Animals are dying and if there are no animals, we can stop living!"

Additionally, Angélique and Léo are calling for "more teachers in primary schools," and more "play modules for us children."

Spelling errors (in the French version of this text) were retained for authenticity.

-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 31, 2024.