Action in support of the homeless | Protesters join a camping lesson

(Montreal) A dozen demonstrators pitched their tents on the edge of the Lachine Canal on Saturday, a few meters from the initiation to camping activity organized by Parks Canada, to denounce the dismantling of makeshift shelters. But against all odds, the two camps got along.

Lea Carrier
The Press

Here, a group of friends are returning from a kayaking trip. There, a young family prepares to spend a first night outdoors.

And a few meters further, demonstrators who wanted to underline the irony of the activity, while people experiencing homelessness regularly see their camps dismantled, in Montreal.

The activity in question: an introduction to camping organized by Parks Canada, which began on Saturday on the Coursiers bank. A first event scheduled in July had been canceled under fire from critics.

“Every day, there are dismantlings happening. But when Parks Canada does a camping activity, there is no problem,” laments homelessness worker Annie Archambault, who organized the event.

“Afterwards, they withdraw even more”

Around her, a dozen tents have been erected. Among the campers, Maryse Tanguay and her small family, who traveled from Lévis for the occasion.

“When I saw that, I was outraged. Honestly, I was outraged,” says the woman, who worked for a few years as a street worker.

Hunting homeless people only makes them more vulnerable, protesters argue.

“When we talk about camping, it’s not 50 tents in the same place. Often, it is a single person whose tent will be dismantled. Afterwards, they withdraw even more. We are less able to have access to these people and help them, ”laughs M.^me Archambault.

Raising awareness instead of protest

But against all odds, the two camps got along. In the afternoon, a dialogue was opened between the demonstrators and Parks Canada, which offered them to settle on their land.

“We offered them to give an awareness and education workshop. They will come after the fire workshop to discuss with the participants,” said Simon St-Germain, head of the outdoor initiation program.

For her part, Annie Archambault praised Parks Canada’s attentiveness.

The young woman does not show the same optimism towards the City of Montreal, which “always disempowers itself” for this issue.

“They have an opening, but it doesn’t erase the past. I think that homeless people who have had their camps removed are still bitter,” believes Maryse Tanguay.

“Not luxury camping”

On the grounds of Parks Canada, Omar Hadjar quietly prepares his two little girls for bedtime. This is the first time they will sleep outdoors.

“So far they like it, but they haven’t spent the night yet. We’ll see after ! he laughs.

Intrigued by the neighboring camp, the father of the family said he was willing to participate in the workshop organized by the demonstrators.

“It’s not easy, because we tell them to leave, while we set up tents. It’s not for the same reasons, but I understand. the timing isn’t ideal,” he said.

Simon St-Germain is keen to emphasize this: “This is not luxury camping. »

At a cost of $108, participation in the event also covers introductory fishing, kayaking and yoga activities.

Mr. St-Germain adds that Parks Canada tolerates homeless people at the Lachine Canal, “as long as it remains safe, clean and we don’t need the land”.

Montreal proceeds from time to time to the dismantling of makeshift camps, in particular to counter the risk of fire. On July 13, such a camp was dismantled on rue Notre-Dame. Last week, the municipality published a job offer for a “homelessness liaison officer” whose mandate “consists of coordinating the actions to be taken during the eviction or dismantling of temporary shelters, camps and tents on the property. public and private”, while redirecting campers to support organizations. This announcement had been criticized by community stakeholders.

With The Canadian Press