The ombudsman of Montreal urges the City to act quickly to meet the crying needs of homeless Aboriginal people in the Milton-Parc sector. In a report made public on Wednesday, Nadine Mailloux speaks of a “humanitarian crisis in the heart of the metropolis” and recommends that the City set up a “stable and safe” emergency accommodation resource for this population in distress.
The investigation conducted by the ombudsman follows a request for intervention made by a group of residents who live near the intersection of rue Milton and avenue du Parc and who complain of security problems, health and violence.
They say they experience problems of insecurity given the presence of dozens of people occupying the sidewalks on Park Avenue, the danger posed by automobile traffic and the presence of intoxicated people. Four accidents involving homeless people, including one fatal and one with serious injuries, took place in 2020 on Parc Avenue, near Milton Street, noted the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) . Two other accidents occurred in 2021.
“Although the problem is unique and strongly linked to the behavior of victims, such a report calls for action and demonstrates the urgency for all partners to develop sustainable resources that are aligned with the specific needs of this community. Inaction could lead to more deaths,” warns the ombudsman.
Citizens are also wondering about the effect of the arrival of the organization La Porte Ouverte (The Open Door), which has set up in the basement of Notre-Dame-de-la- Salette, in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, at the end of 2018.
Planning gaps
To conduct his investigation, the ombudsman did not limit himself to his usual interlocutors in the City of Montreal, since the issue of homelessness in this territory also involves two Integrated University Health and Social Services Centers (CIUSSS) and several community organizations.
The report notes a reduction in the reception capacity of traditional resources despite the growing number of homeless people. It also highlights the lack of concerted action and planning in the provision of services to homeless people, particularly in the winter. The pandemic does not justify these shortcomings, it is said. “Tents and emergency winter shelters are expensive palliatives that will not solve the problem of the lack of structuring and sustainable resources in adapted accommodation and social housing,” notes the ombudsman.
The report makes several recommendations. In particular, he urges the City “to fully assume its leadership” and to open an emergency housing resource for Inuit people. It also suggests that the City provide better support to Inuit people upon their arrival in the city, review the funding method for community organizations and tighten accountability mechanisms. “It is important to walk the talk. It is fundamental not to manage this situation by mere checkboxes in a plan,” the report states.
According to Valérie Plante, the findings described in the report are in line with the City’s concerns. The mayor recognizes that we must get out of the “seasonal logic”. However, she believes that the Government of Quebec must also get involved, since homelessness and mental health issues fall under the health network, even if Montreal has obtained increased powers as a metropolis. “It remains a responsibility of the Government of Quebec. Either it gives us the responsibility and the money that comes with it, or it bails out the efforts made by the City and the organizations,” she said.
The opposition to the town hall reproached the administration for relying constantly on Quebec. “Mayoress Plante completely absolves herself of responsibility for homelessness,” says Ensemble Montréal councilor Benoit Langevin. “It is time for the administration of Projet Montréal to come out of denial and assume its responsibilities. »