Photo: Valérian Mazataud Archives Le Devoir The makeshift camp of a homeless person on Marie-Anne Street, in Montreal
Florence Morin-Martel
Published at 11:50 a.m. Updated at 6:54 p.m.
- Quebec
With winter approaching, Québec solidaire (QS) is calling for a rapid, transpartisan municipal, provincial and federal summit on the homelessness crisis in Montreal.
“We are worried, very worried. We are experiencing an unprecedented crisis in Quebec, a national homelessness crisis. But the epicentre of the crisis is Montreal,” stressed party spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois on Thursday during a press briefing at Place Émilie-Gamelin in the borough of Ville-Marie.
The various elected officials from Montreal who are present in the City, the National Assembly of Quebec and the House of Commons of Canada must work together to find solutions, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois said. He also hopes that the Montreal Police Department (SPVM), the city’s transit authorities and local community groups will take part in the summit.
“The goal is to come out of this event with a common roadmap to address the issues of urban cohabitation that have become critical,” he said.
Among the topics that would be discussed, Solidarity MP Guillaume Cliche-Rivard mentioned the issue of opening more shelters in different areas of the city. “Right now, 80 to 85% of the resources are located south of Ontario Street. So there is a complete drawdown of people who live in the north of Montreal towards the south.”
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The homelessness resources that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are almost all located in the south of the city, adds Mr. Cliche-Rivard. “The day centres that are able to do so need to extend their hours. We also need to ensure that food assistance is available in all neighbourhoods.”
Lack of “political leadership”
Mr. Nadeau-Dubois believes that there is a “political leadership problem” regarding homelessness in the city. “This issue needs to be at the top of the priorities of all Montreal politicians at all levels, and that’s not there right now.” And when I say that, I am not attacking the government of Quebec or the city of Montreal. Everyone is doing their best.”
In order to convince the various parties to hold a summit on the issue, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois sent a letter on Thursday to Quebec Premier François Legault, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party Marc Tanguay, and leader of the Parti Québécois Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Reached by Le Devoir, the office of the Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, closed the door on QS's proposal. However, he says he will participate in the next Estates General on Homelessness from November 27 to 29. The event is organized by the Réseau solidarité itinérance du Québec, in collaboration with various partners.
“The issue of cohabitation is also at the heart of a complete chapter of the first comprehensive action plan on homelessness that we have been following since 2021,” adds Mr. Carmant’s office. We have set up intersectoral tables in each region to better coordinate efforts between community, municipal and government stakeholders.”
For his part, PQ member Joël Arseneau maintained that he would also take part in the November Estates General. “We are not closing the door to working subsequently on the more specific situation in Montreal, but also in other cities and regions that are increasingly concerned while the issue of homelessness is growing rapidly everywhere.”
As for the Quebec Liberal Party, MP Elisabeth Prass said she shared Québec solidaire’s concerns about homelessness and supported “any concerted action initiative.” “Homelessness doesn’t just affect Montreal. Regions like the Outaouais are also affected. It is therefore essential to adopt an approach that takes into account the reality of all regions of Quebec, by focusing on integrated and sustainable solutions,” she added.
Read also
- As winter approaches, Québec solidaire calls for predictable funding for the homeless