From Quebec television to provincial politics, Benoît Clermont is entering a new chapter in a career shaped by law, entrepreneurship and media. He is now a candidate in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne. He brings his professional experience to a different stage, one focused on public service and the community he has called home for 15 years.

In an interview with WHOMAN Canada Magazine, Clermont discusses the issues shaping daily life in the riding. These include housing, homelessness, culture, local businesses and support for women and families. He also shares what motivated his move into politics and the priorities he would pursue if elected.

Sometimes an interview begins with a formal request. This one began with a simple conversation in the neighbourhood.

I first met Benoît Clermont and his team unexpectedly in Saint-Henri, while he was out speaking with residents. He was introducing himself as a candidate for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne. What started as a brief conversation about our neighbourhood quickly turned into a discussion about issues many of us see every day. We spoke about housing, homelessness, local businesses, community organizations and the changes taking place across the Sud-Ouest.

That chance encounter led to this interview for WHOMAN Canada Magazine.

A lawyer by training, entrepreneur and former television producer, Clermont has worked behind some of Quebec’s best-known productions. He is now seeking to bring that professional experience into provincial politics. He says his decision comes after 15 years of living in Saint-Henri. During that time, he has watched the opportunities and challenges facing the area evolve.

In this conversation, we wanted to move beyond the campaign introduction. We asked what his plans would mean for the people who live here.

From affordable housing and homelessness to public safety, culture, small businesses, women and families, we discussed his priorities for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne. We also asked what residents could expect from him if elected.

Here is our conversation.

You have built a distinguished career as a lawyer, media executive and television producer. What motivated you to leave the media industry and enter provincial politics at this stage of your life?

I have been fortunate to have several careers in one lifetime. I started as a lawyer and spent many years in intellectual property. Then I made the leap into television and entrepreneurship. I eventually founded Productions Déferlantes. I had the privilege of working with extraordinary teams on some of Quebec’s biggest television productions.

After selling my company, I reached a point where I had to ask myself a very simple question: What do I want to do with the experience I have accumulated?

For me, politics became the answer. I have lived in Saint-Henri for 15 years. I have watched this neighbourhood — and the entire riding — evolve tremendously. There is so much energy here. But there are also very real challenges. These include housing, homelessness, access to public services and the vitality of our local businesses and cultural institutions.

I am not entering politics to start another career. I am doing it because I believe I can be useful. This is especially true when it comes to the challenges facing Quebec’s media and cultural sectors today. I have spent much of my career in this industry. I understand firsthand the pressures it faces. I also understand the importance of keeping Quebec’s media and culture strong, vibrant and sustainable.

Regarding my riding, I know how to build teams and manage complex organizations. I know how to make difficult decisions and, most importantly, deliver results. At this stage of my life, I want to put that experience at the service of the community I call home.

Having contributed to major Québec productions such as Star Académie, La Voix and Chanteurs masqués, what lessons from your career in media, law and entrepreneurship would you bring to public service?

The first lesson is that nothing significant gets accomplished alone. Television taught me how to bring people with different talents and perspectives together around a common objective. Entrepreneurship taught me accountability. When you run a company, you cannot simply identify a problem. You have to find a solution. My legal background taught me to understand complex issues, ask the right questions and pay attention to details.

Those are habits I want to bring to politics.

Producing television also gives you a very practical understanding of Quebec. Our cultural industry includes creators, technicians, entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses. You see firsthand how government decisions, regulations and public institutions affect people. These decisions can influence their ability to create, invest and make a living.

I also learned that leadership is not about having every answer yourself. It is about surrounding yourself with good people and listening to expertise. Then, you have to be prepared to make decisions.

That is the kind of MNA I want to be: accessible, pragmatic and focused on results. Residents should be able to bring a problem to their elected representative. They should know that someone will take responsibility for moving the file forward.

Housing affordability, rising rents and the displacement of longtime residents are major concerns in Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne. What concrete measures would you advocate for to increase access to affordable and social housing while preserving the character of the neighbourhood?

Housing is probably the issue I hear about most often at the doors. Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne is growing and changing. But people who have built their lives here should still be able to afford to live here.

The fundamental problem is that Quebec is not building enough housing. We at the Quebec Liberal Party have set an ambitious objective. We want to eventually reach 100,000 new housing units per year. But increasing the overall supply is only part of the solution. We are also committing $1.5 billion to add 40,000 social and affordable housing units over five years. This would include both construction and acquisition. A significant share would be dedicated to people who face the greatest barriers to housing.

For Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, I want us to work closely with the City, community organizations, non-profits and housing cooperatives. Together, we can identify projects that can move forward. We can also remove unnecessary obstacles that delay construction.

At the same time, development has to respect the communities already here. Saint-Henri, Pointe-Saint-Charles, Little Burgundy, Griffintown, Côte-Saint-Paul and Ville-Émard each have their own identity. Building more housing should not mean erasing that character. Good development means adding housing while protecting mixed communities and supporting affordable and non-market options. It also means ensuring longtime residents can continue calling these neighbourhoods home.

Homelessness, public safety and social coexistence have become sensitive issues in the Sud-Ouest. How would you balance the need to support vulnerable individuals with residents’ legitimate expectations regarding safety and quality of life?

I do not believe we have to choose between compassion and quality of life. We need both.

Homelessness is one of the issues residents raise with me constantly. During this campaign, I have also visited organizations working directly with people experiencing homelessness. One thing becomes very clear. There is no single path into homelessness, and therefore no single solution.

We at the Quebec Liberal Party are proposing an additional $60 million per year to tackle homelessness. Our approach begins with prevention. This includes preventing evictions that can lead to homelessness. It also means better supporting young people leaving youth protection. We would increase funding for frontline organizations and improve mental-health and addiction services. We would also expand transitional housing and support to help people move permanently off the street.

I must say social coexistence also matters. Residents, families, merchants and vulnerable people all share the same neighbourhoods. Experts and frontline organizations increasingly say that cohabitation challenges should be addressed early. We need to act before tensions really take root.

I believe that means involving residents and local stakeholders in the discussion. It also means maintaining an open dialogue with the neighbourhood and responding quickly when problems arise. We often fear what we don’t understand. That is why communication and transparency are so important. Residents need to understand what services are being offered and how they operate. They also need to know what measures are in place to address their concerns. This can help build trust and create better social coexistence.

Some of the best organizations I have visited understand this extremely well. They work with their neighbours and involve members of the community. They also put mechanisms in place to address concerns as they emerge.

Homelessness and social coexistence are priorities for me. If I am elected, I will work to ensure vulnerable people receive the support they need. I will also work to ensure peaceful coexistence and a good quality of life for everyone. To achieve that, I believe some changes in our current approach are necessary. We need to address cohabitation issues earlier and improve coordination between stakeholders. We also need to make sure residents are part of the conversation.

Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne is home to artists, cultural organizations, entrepreneurs and independent businesses. How would you support its economic and cultural vitality while ensuring that development benefits the existing community?

This question touches directly on my own experience. I spent much of my professional life in Quebec’s cultural sector. I was also an entrepreneur. I know how much creativity and entrepreneurship contribute to the identity of a neighbourhood.

Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne is a remarkable example of that. Our independent restaurants, shops, artists, cultural organizations and small businesses are part of the local economy. But they are also much more than that. They help make people want to live and spend time here.

Government should make it easier for them to succeed. We at the Quebec Liberal Party want to reduce the administrative burden on SMEs. We also want to gradually lower their tax rate from 11.5% to 10%. In addition, we want to make it easier for Quebec businesses to access government contracts.

On culture, my commitment is equally clear. I want Quebec to continue investing in its creators and institutions. We must also ensure that our culture remains accessible to the next generation. Culture is fundamental to the vitality of the French language.

Development is necessary, but it should strengthen neighbourhoods rather than hollow them out. My approach would involve working with local merchants, cultural organizations, residents and community groups. Economic development should create opportunities for the people who are already here. It should also preserve the character that makes our neighbourhoods unique.

Whoman Canada Magazine places particular importance on the voices and experiences of women. What commitments would you make to improve the daily lives of women and families, particularly regarding healthcare, housing, economic opportunity and personal safety?

Good public policy has to start with the realities of people’s daily lives. For many women and families, that means the cost of housing, access to healthcare and economic security. It also means being able to feel safe in their home and community.

Housing is an important part of that equation. Our Liberal housing plan would add 40,000 social and affordable units over five years. A significant portion would be dedicated to vulnerable populations. This includes second-stage housing for women who are victims of domestic violence.

Healthcare access is another priority. We are proposing a universal public telehealth platform integrated into primary care. It would allow Quebecers to reach the appropriate professional. That could be a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician. People should not always have to take hours away from work or family responsibilities. Some appointments can be handled remotely.

Economic independence matters as well. Supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship can create more opportunities for women. We also need to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and create conditions for businesses to grow. This can help women start businesses, advance professionally and achieve greater economic security.

Ultimately, these issues are connected. A woman should be able to find an affordable home and access healthcare when she needs it. She should also be able to pursue economic opportunities and feel safe. As an MNA, I would make sure women’s organizations and community groups have a direct line to my office. Good decisions begin by listening to the people affected by them.

If elected on October 5, what would be your three principal priorities for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, and what measurable results should residents expect from you during a first mandate?

Regarding Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne, three issues will be at the heart of my work as MNA. They are homelessness and social coexistence, housing, and support for our community organizations.

Homelessness and social coexistence are particularly important in Saint-Henri. I want to make sure vulnerable people receive the services and support they need. At the same time, we need to address cohabitation challenges. We at the Quebec Liberal Party will invest an additional $60 million per year to tackle homelessness. I will work to make sure our community benefits from those additional resources.

On housing, our party has set an ambitious objective. We want to eventually reach 100,000 new housing units per year across Quebec. This is in addition to investing in social and affordable housing. As MNA, I will work with all levels of government and local partners to move projects forward in the riding. This includes the major opportunity represented by the Bridge-Bonaventure sector in Pointe-Saint-Charles.

Finally, I want to be a strong partner for our community organizations. Throughout this campaign, I have seen firsthand the essential work they do every day. I want to help them navigate government programs and access available funding. I also want to make sure their realities are heard in Quebec City. I will make their voices heard whether I’m in government or the opposition.

At the end of a first mandate, I want residents to see concrete progress. That means more housing projects moving forward and a better approach to homelessness and social coexistence. It also means community organizations knowing they have an MNA who works with them and delivers for them.

That means more housing projects moving forward and a better approach to homelessness and social coexistence.

It also means community organizations knowing they have an MNA who works with them and delivers for them.