The president of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal, Luc Rabouin, announced on Friday an additional investment of $ 625,000 for the development of the future LGBTQ+community complex. A sum which is added to the $ 400,000 granted by the City two years ago to acquire the building.
The Montreal project team gathered in the heart of the village, Friday before the imposing building located at 929, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, to make it the announcement.
“This is a project that is part of the revitalization strategy of the village,” said the designated project of Project Montreal, while specifying that it will be the “first LGBTQ+French -speaking community complex in Canada”. “We do not want a homogeneous city center, we want a diversified city center and the village has a strong identity that we want to strengthen, enhance and support,” he added.
The sums granted come from the budget of the city center of the City of Montreal ($ 425,000) and from the Ville-Marie district ($ 200,000). The opening of the LGBTQ+space is planned for 2027.
Luc Rabouin also said he was in solidarity with the various communities of the village, indicating that Projet Montréal was an “unwavering ally” of the fight for the defense of collective rights for people of LGBTQ+communities. “We are here, we are going to speak and we are going to do concrete actions in a context of threats of rights and the rise of right -wing ideas. »»
The chairman of the board of directors and founding member of Espace LGBTQ+Désirée Nore Duchesne welcomed the realization of this new living space.
“It is a project that protects our communities, gives them new means to flourish and confirms that the various LBGTQ+organizations have their place in Montreal, not on the fringes, but at the heart of the city. […] It is a place that was thought of for all those who had to live behind, in silence or on the run, ”she said.
Concretely, the LGBTQ+space will bring together community organizations which will be able to intervene with marginalized populations by offering front line services. On the first floor, there will be office and meetings spaces. A dozen organizations will coexist there. Finally, on the second floor, a multifunctional space will organize social or funding activities.
Photo Martin Chamberland, La Presse Archives
Project manager Montreal Luc Rabouin
The president of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal, Luc Rabouin, argued that for two years the security has been reinforced in the village, in particular thanks to the increased presence of SPVM police officers, but also social stakeholders, the mobile, medical and social intervention team (emis) of the city, who can deal with people who have mental health problems.
Other projects to revitalize the village will emerge, assured Luc Rabouin, in particular through the local initiative fund. But the designated project of Project Montreal, recalled that the underground infrastructure on rue Saint-Catherine must be completely redone from next year.
“This will be an opportunity to rethink the development of rue Sainte-Catherine; Take advantage of the fact that we have to redo the infrastructure to ensure that when we are going to close all of this, it is well thought out to contribute to the revitalization of the village. And on this we discuss with the business development company. »»
Montreal pride
Despite the crisis which is shaking proud Montreal – the director general Simon Gamache is on sick leave and the president of the BA Bernard Truong resigned in the middle of a festival by defending the apolitical nature of the organization – Projet Montréal continues to support the organization and confirmed its presence in Sunday.
“We’re going to be there,” said Luc Rabouin. We are united, we know that we are in a context of decrease in rights [des communautés LGBTQ+] And for us it is essential to be present at the parade. At the moment, we need to be united and defend our collective rights. […] We have to talk about what unites us, not what divides us. »»
Mr. Rabouin did not want to pronounce in a specific manner on political issues which divide Montreal pride-either the friction between pro-Palestinian activists and Jewish organizations.
“Pride Montreal organizes an exceptional event, the festival organizes activities in different districts, began by saying Luc Rabouin. Now there are tensions, as there are in many organizations on political issues that tear us out. It is normal that there are debates. But pride Montreal is a solid organization in which we trust. We are united with them. »»