The mayor Valérie Plante invites Prime Minister François Legault to “take a strong gesture” by appointing a roaming or minister responsible for her next ministerial reshuffle. The mayor spoke of a “national crisis” which requires a “national solution”. “The roaming [comme la santé] deserves to have its top Gun. »»
The mayor Plante said that this request is not a “disavowal” of the work carried out by Lionel Carmant, Minister of Social Services. But it spoke of a “humanitarian crisis” that Quebec must prioritize.
“Mr. Carmant does an important job, it is an ally, but it must be admitted that you have to go further when it comes to roaming. You have to be able to put as much the minister who takes care of the elders, young people, female condition, housing. You have to work with finances, the economy, but at the start you have to find systemic solutions to a problem that is one. »»
Valérie Plante insisted that the “phenomenon of social, economic precariousness, combined with distress, drug addiction and mental health problems” went by increasing. “I think that to appoint a minister responsible for roaming, that would send an extremely strong message that we are going to work on the now, but also on the future. »»
This summer, a report by the Montreal Public Consultation Office (OCPM) confirmed this trend. Visible roaming has indeed increased by 33 % in Montreal between 2018 and 2022.
Photo Patrick Sanfaçon, La Presse
The outgoing mayor of Montreal Valérie Plante
In the meantime, the Plant Administration announced on Tuesday an investment of 22.5 million to community organizations that help people in homelessness.
21.3 million of the aid promised by the City of Montreal will be granted over a period of three years and paid to 39 organizations for the realization of 42 projects. The funds come from the city’s roaming and living environment of the city.
The objective is to give more predictability to community environments which are on the first line. It is a historical demand from organizations that are out of breath, and who take care of vulnerable human beings daily.
Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal
The sums provided by the City will be used to finance projects of social inclusion, cohabitation, awareness, descending, cleanliness or employment aid.
In addition, the ground floor of the Lucien Saulnier municipal building will be transformed into a stopover this winter again. “It’s not ideal, it’s not a way of life, but it’s a temporary solution that can help,” she said.
The city’s executive committee is also due to assess the granting of $ 700,000 on Wednesday to offer shuttles to vulnerable people in 2026. A way to facilitate their transport to shelters or services. Aboriginal projects in Quebec, Mission Old Brewry and Love in Action are associated with this project.
Other details will follow