Housing crisis: some "snowbirds" have no choice

Think snowbirds are lucky to spend the winter in the sun? Think again. For some Quebecers, it's not a matter of comfort, it's simply a matter of survival. This is the case for Yves Viens.

Speaking to Benoit Dutrizac, this "forced snowbird" admitted that, at over $1,000 a month, he simply can't afford to rent an apartment. By living in his trailer, he manages to minimize his monthly expenses and enjoy a decent retirement.

According to him, he's far from alone in his situation. He estimates that there are 1,200 campgrounds in Quebec dealing with a similar predicament. And yet, Mr. Viens considers himself fortunate, having worked in the healthcare field.

“I contributed to a retirement fund, but some people at my campground live solely on Quebec and Canadian pensions,” he lamented.

For him, as for many others, a trailer in Quebec in the summer and camping in the sun in the winter is a reality, and with inflation, it’s a phenomenon that’s likely to grow.