How Sherbrooke’s winter is pushing resources to the limit
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
As Sherbrooke grapples with the harsh winter of 2025, local organizations supporting people experiencing homelessness are feeling the strain. With temperatures dipping lower than last year’s mild season, shelters and day centres are seeing an increased demand for space, resources, and support. One of the frontline organizations, Ma Cabane, is struggling to accommodate the surge, with its director, Marc St-Louis, describing the situation as “chaotic” and “cacophonique.”
Overcrowding at Ma Cabane
Ma Cabane, a day centre designed to provide a safe, warm space for those at risk of homelessness, typically welcomes between 80 and 120 individuals daily. However, due to the extreme cold, visitors are staying longer than usual, leading to significant overcrowding.
“The comfort level at Ma Cabane is about 25 people at a time,” St-Louis explained. “But now, we’re seeing days where we have up to 50 people inside at once. It becomes really chaotic.”
Unlike previous years, when milder winter conditions allowed individuals to spend more time outdoors, this season’s bitter cold is forcing them to remain inside, exacerbating the strain on the centre’s limited resources.
The search for space: A difficult reality
While the need for a larger facility is evident, St-Louis admits that relocating Ma Cabane is nearly impossible due to zoning restrictions, budget limitations, and the necessity of remaining close to the community it serves.
“Ma Cabane can’t just be anywhere,” he said. “It has to be where people live. Even if a larger space were available, we’d have to be able to afford it.”
The uncertainty surrounding Sherbrooke’s new floodplain zoning regulations further complicates matters. “I don’t even know what’s going to happen with that,” he added.
