A video showing a number of rats running around a person sleeping on the steps of a church in Quebec City's Saint‑Roch neighbourhood has prompted public outcry and action from city officials and community groups concerned about long‑standing health risks tied to homelessness.
Footage sparks reaction from advocates and mayor
The video, recorded a few weeks ago by volunteer food distributor Stéphanie Langlois and shared with Radio‑Canada, shows rodents scurrying around the stoop where people experiencing homelessness often sleep. Langlois told reporters she counted about 15 rats in the clip and said she was distressed by what she had witnessed.
“There were 15 rats. I can't believe we're leaving people in these conditions.”
The recording quickly fuelled an emotional response from community members and advocacy organisations that have long raised concerns about vermin, sanitation and safety in the neighbourhood.
Municipal measures and officials' statements
Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand addressed the matter at a news conference, saying the city has been monitoring rodent infestations and carries out professional deratization — the monitoring and elimination of rodents — in affected areas, including Saint‑Roch.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the mayor's office said municipal teams would be on site in Saint‑Roch that evening to assess conditions and determine any additional safety measures.
Marchand framed the problem as part of a broader homelessness challenge in the city, saying prevention and addressing root causes must guide the response. He told reporters: “The solution ... is zero homelessness.” He also said the presence of rats intensifies the problem but is not the cause of homelessness, noting it existed prior to the rat increase.
Advocates describe long‑standing health risk
Local outreach worker Marie‑Hélène Michaud, who runs the mobile community program Le Marginal, described rats running between people's legs and on those sleeping outdoors. Michaud and other advocates said the video highlights a health and safety issue that requires coordinated action from public health, municipal services and social agencies.
- Immediate response: City teams dispatched to Saint‑Roch to assess and apply safety measures.
- Pest control: Ongoing deratization efforts in monitored areas, according to the mayor.
- Longer‑term goal: Officials reiterated prevention and housing solutions as necessary to address the root causes.
Context and local consequences
Saint‑Roch has been a focal point for outreach and services for people experiencing homelessness in Quebec City. The circulation of the video has amplified concerns about how environmental health issues — such as vermin infestations and waste management — interact with the vulnerability of people sleeping rough.
Public‑health risks linked to rodent presence include contamination of food sites, the potential spread of disease and psychological distress for people living outdoors and for nearby residents and businesses. While municipal deratization targets rodent populations, advocates say addressing sanitation, shelter capacity and preventive supports is essential to reduce repeated exposure.
What officials and groups say next
The mayor's office confirmed teams were to be on site the evening after the video circulated to evaluate conditions and implement possible additional safety measures. Outreach organisations emphasised the need for continued monitoring and for municipal partners to work with social services to find alternatives to sleeping outdoors.
| Actor | Role / Response |
|---|---|
| Stéphanie Langlois | Recorded and shared the video; raised alarm at number of rats observed |
| Mayor Bruno Marchand | Confirmed deratization work, dispatched teams to assess site, called for prevention and housing solutions |
| Marie‑Hélène Michaud / Le Marginal | Described rats running on and between people sleeping outdoors; called for action on health risks |
The video has put a spotlight on the intersection of public health and homelessness in Quebec City. City residents, businesses and service providers will be watching how municipal assessments and interventions unfold in Saint‑Roch and whether they translate into concrete measures to reduce both rodent populations and the exposure of vulnerable people to unsafe conditions.
